Willem Laurens Bielders

Dear Marjolijn,Floris and Sophie

We are deeply saddened to hear the news about Willem. We remember him with great love and effection. Our family shares your grief and may you all have courage to stand up to this unforseen and terrible loss. May peace be with you.

Sonu Sanjay Saloni Sahil

Marjolijn, Floris, and Sophie, I was deeply saddened to hear the news about Willem. Many of my memories of teaching at AISV in Vilnius include Willem and his good-hearted nature, his pleasant personality. He never failed to provide our class with a daily dose of laughter - I will never forget the story he wrote about Napoleon the Rat and Britney Spears! Rest in peace, Willem. May your smile, your laughter, and your love for life live on in the hearts of all who knew you.

Dear Sophie,
        I remember your first day and AISV and the wonderful play you did with your friend(remeber the silly hat).  It was my pleasure and honor to watch you and your brother grow into young adults over the years when I came to AISV. I am greving with you.  Keep your happy smile and love for everything.  Hug your parents for me.  I will keep all of you in my prayers. Linda Warner

Kiev, 15 April 2007

 

Lieve Marjolein, Floris en Sophie,

 

We zijn zo geschrokken van het bericht van Willems overlijden. Het spijt ons dat we jullie niet persoonlijk kunnen zeggen hoe zeer we met jullie meeleven en aan jullie denken. We kregen altijd een lach en een vrolijke groet van Willem als we elkaar tegenkwamen op AISV. En, inderdaad die krullebol is onvergetelijk.

Heel, heel veel sterkte voor jullie allemaal.

Liefs, Karen, Raman en Timur Berent

Beste Marjolijn en Floris

 

Vandaag bereikte mij het nieuws van jullie Willem. Jullie waren net weer vertrokken naar New York en het spijt me dat ik jullie niet heb kunnen zien en zeggen hoezeer mijn hart bloedt en hoezeer ik met jullie mee leef en aan jullie denk. 

Ik wilde dat ik nu iets heel zinnigs kon opschrijven om jullie verdriet te kunnen verlichten, maar de woorden ontbreken mij.

Willem ligt vijf minuten lopen van mijn huis te rusten; ik zal langs gaan, hem groeten en een kaars opsteken om mijn verdriet om jullie allen uit te drukken.

 

Ook namens mijn hele familie heel veel kracht toegewenst voor alles.

 

Jan Willem

Willem, I cant believe that this has happened. I so vividly see your smile in front of me right now, I see you laughing, I remember all the good times we had at AISV. We were suppose to meet this summer.....why is life so cruel and harsh at times? Why was my chance to grow up with you taken away? I cant imagine not seeing you again, and not hearing your voice. You were one of my best friends and I will never forget you. Your gone, but not forgotten, all I have now are those fond memories of you and I tend to hold onto them and cherish them. Wherever you are, may you rest in peace. I love you Willem.

Dear Marjolijn, Sophie and Floris,

 

We are deeply saddened by the news we just received. We are shocked that the life of Willem ended so abruptly. It so unjust and so hard to understand! We are so sorry, so sad, so profoundly terrified that life is no more than a glimpse. It‘s always harder for the ones that stay than for the one that went away but we need to keep the faith that in time we all be re-united again. Our harts are weeping the tremendous loss you are going through. We wish we could do more is this difficult time for your family. We hope that you will find the Strength to surmount this ordeal and continue to believe in Life.

 

The Talpe Family

 

Olga, Nina, Fernand JR, Fernand SR

 

In this enormous sorrow we can still feel gratitude and bliss over all the wonderful memories that you and your family gave us during our time in Vilnius. We remember your happy face, fun soccer practices, joyous dinners, exciting and beautiful piano recitals and many sleepovers as you were John's best friend. Thank you Willem, your family is in our thoughts.

When I look back and think about the time I spent in Lithuania from 4-7th grade, I always start remembering great memories with Willem, simply because he was my best friend. All the times we spent at each others places making prank phone calls (sorry Riido, Naomi and Martina : ) ) us playing soccer every Saturday, you beating me at “risk” EVERY time (don’t get me started at “Age of Empires”), playing foosball and ping pong in your cellar, and the times when we would get lost in the forest next to your house, are just a few of the moments which I remember the best with you. Willem had such a great personality:

 

Funny - Everyday when I left for school, I knew it would be a good day since you were there so we could goof off and get some laughs. You always succeeded in making me cry of laughter from your hilarious jokes (Sometimes I catch myself today in class smiling, remembering one or two of your jokes). I specifically recall one time when we were sitting in my room working on free-writing for English. I remember your story was probably one of the funniest I had ever read, so desperately I tried to change mine into something better. However, it never reached the quality of yours. Let’s face facts here, you were always the funniest one.

 

Nice - You were always so nice and generous to everybody, especially your little sister Sophie and your parents.

 

Considerate – You always wanted to cheer people up who were going through hard times. I remember specifically when you came to me when I was feeling sick or had other problems.

 

Smart – I don’t think I have ever met a person that knew so much of history as Willem. All his stories about Napoleon and the Romans and their tactics could only be described in one word. Amazing!

 

I am so incredibly sad of you passing away Willem. Now, I finally understand the phrase “It can’t be described in words” because that is, to say the least, what I am feeling right now. My best friend…

 

Willem always had a cheerful smile and a happy “Good morning” for me. He usually brought extra snacks to share with everyone, especially his teachers. (The olive meat loaf was amazing.) While experiencing a simulated archeological dig, Willem stumbled upon a very interesting find. Everyone else found shards of old dishes or bottles; Willem found a bone, which seemed to be from a human femur – to the surprise of us all. Suddenly, archeology and studying ancient civilizations seemed more real and relevant. It was wonderful to see Willem grow from a little 6^th grader, shy and small, to a tall, more confident 9^th grader. As a student, he was eager to learn and very thorough in his work, but even more – he truly enjoyed learning – about anything and everything. I feel very fortunate to have known Willem and will always think fondly of him. My sympathies go out to his family and numerous friends around the world. He touched many lives and will not be forgotten.