KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: Sully Says: Our Brother Willy

 I have a pretty big family.  Five brothers and sisters, 17 nieces and nephews, several aunts and uncles and Willy Nuremburg.  Willy is and has always been special. Willy can tell you the names and phone numbers of all the relatives .  He also knows what all the Sullivans do for a living and he can tell you what kind of car they drive.  This is the same guy who doesn't know the difference between one dollar and a thousand dollars.

Anyone who grew up in the Boston suberb of Framingham in the 60's , 70's or 80's has seen Willy Nuremburg. Willy and his red schwinn.  Willy would cover the city streets looking for one thing. Willy wanted attention.  Most of the kids would make fun of Willy, so his main targets were the elderly.  Willy loved to talk and only the patient listened.  I forgot to mention that Willy also has a very unique voice. It's hard to describe.  A very strained tone.

 I don't know when exactly it happened.  It had to be about 20 years ago, but Willy hit the jackpot. He found a woman that listened and was concerned about Willy's well being. My Mother befriended Willy Nuremburg.  She watched as Willy was moved from his house down  the road to an apartment downtown where he lived alone.  Before long, Grammy Sullivan was bringing Willy food. He loves burgers and donuts !!!

When Willy hooked  Anne as he calls her, he got the whole Sullivan family.  Grammy made sure that  everybody from Uncle Mike to little Bella  was part of the Willy experience. Three times a year , Willy gets the special Sulllvan family treatment.  His Birthday parties are legendary, biggest in the family.  Sometimes 12 or 15 relatives will gather at Grammy's house to celebrate Willy's big day.  The day includes a shopping trip( he buys some wild stuff), a trip to the bike shop ( Brother Mike is in charge of bike repair) and a big meal.   If you live out of state like me, you are expected to call Willy during the bash.  It's just one day, but Willy plans for it for at least 3 months.

Willy's 2011 Christmas party was held last week.  My sister in law, Maureen, deserves a medal. I hope I can attach a picture, but Maureen turned stylist.  She gave Willy a makeover, hair and beard.  The nephews and neices who attended the party seemed to enjoy the process as much as Willy.   In addition to his Birthday and Christmas , there's the annual trip to the beach with Willy.  From what I hear, two or three hours at the beach with Willy is quite an experience.

You don't have to be around Willy long to see that it's not the event or the food that's important to him. It's all about family for Willy, and thanks to Grammy, It's the Sullivan family. Merry Christmas !!!!