William “Bill” Brundick has a way of setting the tone the moment you meet him, through humor, warmth and an unmistakable desire to leave people just a little lighter than he found them.

“I don’t like anybody leaving me without smiling,” he says with a grin. “That’s just something in me.”

Bill is currently under hospice care and has been on service since 2025 for congestive heart failure. Starting care early has given him and his family the gift of time to focus on connection, joy and the moments that matter most.

When asked to describe where life has brought him today, he doesn’t overthink it.

“Content and restful,” he says simply before adding with a familiar spark of humor, “I sleep a lot.”

Living fully now is not about doing more, but about being present. “Happy and productive,” he says— not in the traditional sense, but in a quieter, more intentional way: showing up for others, embracing connection and finding meaning in the small moments that make life feel full. Early hospice support has allowed him to savor these moments fully, creating space for laughter, reflection and family connection.

Laughter flowed naturally during the interview with Bill, whether in playful exchanges with his wife, Eleanor, of more than 40 years, or when his daughter Lorien stopped by with her rescue pug, Rush—affectionately known as “Smush.” Light teasing, shared jokes and small moments of humor gave the conversation a joyful rhythm.

“Amanda and Steffanie, both of whom were providing care during the interview with Bill, also make you laugh,” Eleanor noted with a smile.

Amanda Grim, a Choices Healthcare Hospice Aide, brings a steady, compassionate presence to each visit, paired with a playful, humorous spirit that matches Bill’s own. Alongside her, Steffanie Hawthorne, an RN Case Manager, guides care with clinical expertise and genuine warmth. Together, they turn routine visits into moments Bill looks forward to, creating comfort, connection and space for joy.

“I look forward, so forward, to their visits,” he says with a smile.

For Eleanor, that support has made a difference, both visible and quiet. It has created space for Bill to be comfortable, for them to focus on what matters most and for the small, shared experiences that make life feel full.

“We have a good time,” Bill says. “Togetherness… focus on togetherness.”

What matters most now is not grand gestures, but simple, tangible moments. “Closeness. Looking for fun. And touch.” These quiet, human connections are where life feels fullest.

Looking back, Bill’s life has been anything but small. He spent 18 years as a management consultant after beginning his career at Westinghouse, a nuclear power company, building a path that allowed independence and opportunity. Travel, especially, became a shared passion with Eleanor and a thread connecting many of their memories.

“Hawaii,” he says without hesitation. “It makes your knees weak. It’s that beautiful.”

On Kauai, Bill found an overlook so breathtaking it made his knees wobble. It was not just the scenery, but what it represented: time together, shared wonder and the freedom to simply be present. Hawaii was not just a destination; it was a feeling carried long after their return home.

“I wish everybody could travel, local or international… just to connect with other people… human beings,” he says.

There is a sense of acceptance, even humor, in how he reflects on life. “Everybody’s heading for the same place,” he says with a shrug. “So what?” For Bill, that phrase is freeing—it strips away what does not matter and brings everything else into focus: relationships, shared experiences and the ability to find lightness even in serious moments.

Humor is never far away. He teases, jokes and turns ordinary moments into something memorable. “When everybody laughs at once, it makes everything better,” he says.

What stands out most is how Bill chooses to show up—in connection, in gratitude and in humor. Early hospice care has allowed him to create more moments like these: extra time to savor laughter, share stories and connect deeply with family and friends. There is no sense of finality in his words, only presence. Family moves in and out of the room. Conversations shift. Laughter continues.

At the center of it all is Bill, exactly as he intends to be: engaged, connected and making sure, above all else, that no one leaves without a smile.

A Life in Stories
Beyond his career and travels, Bill is also a published author, a creative pursuit that reflects the same curiosity, humor and perspective he brings to everyday life.

His book, A Double Baker’s Dozen—+4, is a collection of short stories drawn from a mix of personal experiences, observations and imaginative ideas. The title itself reflects Bill’s playful, analytical nature. As he explains it, a “baker’s dozen” is 13, double that makes 26, and when you add four more, you arrive at 30, the number of stories included in the collection.

The stories come from many places. Some are rooted directly in Bill’s own life, capturing moments and perspectives shaped by years of experience. Others were inspired by classic films and television from earlier decades, blending nostalgia with creativity in unexpected ways.

Originally published in the 1990s, the book includes a range of pieces, some he loves, some he simply likes and others he admits he would rewrite if given the chance. That honesty, like his storytelling, is part of what makes the work distinctly his.

For Bill, writing was never just about putting words on a page. It was another way of observing the world, making sense of it and, in his own way, connecting with others, one story at a time.