Billy Standley, a Dayton (OH) resident and long time motorcycle enthusiast, was buried at Fairview Cemetery this past Friday. I would say “laid to rest”, but this is one of the unique times that the saying would not apply. Bill’s 18 year plan to be buried atop his 1967 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Motorcycle was carried out by his family for all to see.
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Bill’s family said the motorcycle helped him retain his sense of adventure after he settled down to raise four children in Mechanicsburg — quite a compromise for the man who made his start at the tender age of 13 as a ranch hand and rodeo rider.
His prudent planning proved to be quite advantageous after Standley was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s last year. Even as his mind wandered, his children or friends couldn’t forget his final wishes. When Standley succumbed to lung cancer Sunday at the age of 82, his plan rolled into action.
Standley began making the burial plans, because when he died, he didn’t just want to ride to heaven, he wanted the whole world to see him do it in a see-through coffin. This required a lot of preparation, and even more gumption.
After they met for his visitation in the parking lot, motorcyclists from across the country joined Billy on his final ride to Fairview Cemetery. source – daytondailynews
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