A true story. Written on Memorial Day 1996 for Billy's mom shortly after he died.  A honky tonk song for Billy. May he and his brother Chuck rest in peace.

His mother's favorite son, His father's second one
Bill got old before his time
Built for the bar stool, In the mill out of high school
Enlisted in '65
Paris Island, The Marines, Viet Nam, Parts unseen
For our old Red, White and Blue
Secret missions behind lines, Those was the good old times
In a chopper his brother Chuckie flew
Oh Billy Howe...Billy how? Billy Howe...Billy how?
Did you know it was your time to die
To Billy Howe...To Billy Howe
Let's all raise our glasses high
On a trip from Saigon, Everything went wrong
Bill lied in the jungle and wait
His brother set him down, In one piece on the ground
Then flew off for those Pearly Gates
Oh Billy Howe...Billy how? Billy Howe...Billy how?
Did you know it was your time to die
To Billy Howe...To Billy Howe
Let's all raise our glasses high
"Forever in Blue Jeans", Not Dress Blue or Green
No one knew the heartache, Your bloodshot eyes'd seen
The war was never over, 'Till they put you six foot down
To Billy Howe...Let's have one more round
Stateside in '69, Bill crossed a protest line
Where some long-haired Hippie spit on his shoes
Bill turned his cheek, Walked away, I still miss him to this day
Oh Billy Howe...Guess we're all born to lose
Oh Billy Howe...Guess we're all born to lose.

©Hunky Country Music, BMI