Presents From Billy Stanley THE FAITH OF ELVIS PRESLEY
A Kevin McAfee Film
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A Film OF A BLENDED family, FAITH & BROTHERHOOD
THE FAITH OF ELVIS PRESLEY
Vernon Presley married Dee Stanley after his first wife, Gladys had passed away. Elvis was never the same feeling the loss. His twin had passed away at birth and he was an only child. In his grief he was reminded of the first loss of family in his life, his brother had preceded his mother in death. . The lessons from these deep losses changed his perspective about family. What would a blended family look like? How would they be treated? The little boys felt the same way, who were the Stanley children.
Like many stars in the public, Elvis and his family became a cherished treasure. Fortunately, his new stepmother had three small sons when they came to live at Graceland in 1960 for seventeen years. The boys did not even know who Elvis was. They never had an agenda, but to love a brother who embraced them like none other.
Billy was seven, Ricky was six and the youngest was four when they all walked into the "pool room" at Graceland to meet Elvis for the first time. The King of Rock & Roll told his Dad that he had waited all his life for one brother, and now...he would have three!
For the next seventeen years these men would be together...this is the story of Billy and Rick Stanley and the deep love they shared, the lessons Elvis would teach them and the philosophy of what "family" would mean. The story comes from the Point of View of Billy Stanley and is supported bytheir late brother, Rick Stanley.
Elvis set a new perspective of how to treat "step family members". The "blended family" learned the importance of unconditional love. If today, our world would only learn one thing from this film, it would be how to honor people who are in a family through another marriage. A broken family is hard enough to survive, but what hurts even more, is when any family member is rejected or abandoned. When you read the article where Elvis talked about his little brothers, you will see the real heart of Elvis and the reason why he loved his brothers as they loved him.
There has never been a film like this, a film that embodies the faith of Elvis Presley and his brothers. All of these boys were rebels, but each one found God as a direct result of their famous brother. Jesus Christ was the centerpiece for all faith at Graceland was found in the music and life of Elvis Presley.
Billy Stanley's story is powerful, impactful and includes a true miracle in his life when Billy literally died a few years ago. Billy's family literally worked to survive him and his story is the framework for this feature documentary. In this exciting NO DOUBT NO FEAR, Billy tells his powerful story of "going to heaven" after he literally had a seizure, stroke and heart attack when he died in Memphis just a couple years ago. He goes into detail about also seeing his brother, Elvis. The exciting book and film TO HEAVEN AND BACK are now happening.
This entire website is dedicated to a FEATURE DOCUMENTARY FILM about Elvis Presley as told by one of his closest brothers via the marriage of Dee Stanley and Vernon Presley, followed by a new narrative FEATURE FILM currently being created by Billy Stanley and Kevin McAfee.
Vernon Presley married Dee Stanley after his first wife, Gladys had passed away. Elvis was never the same feeling the loss. His twin had passed away at birth and he was an only child. In his grief he was reminded of the first loss of family in his life, his brother had preceded his mother in death. . The lessons from these deep losses changed his perspective about family. What would a blended family look like? How would they be treated? The little boys felt the same way, who were the Stanley children.
Like many stars in the public, Elvis and his family became a cherished treasure. Fortunately, his new stepmother had three small sons when they came to live at Graceland in 1960 for seventeen years. The boys did not even know who Elvis was. They never had an agenda, but to love a brother who embraced them like none other.
Billy was seven, Ricky was six and the youngest was four when they all walked into the "pool room" at Graceland to meet Elvis for the first time. The King of Rock & Roll told his Dad that he had waited all his life for one brother, and now...he would have three!
For the next seventeen years these men would be together...this is the story of Billy and Rick Stanley and the deep love they shared, the lessons Elvis would teach them and the philosophy of what "family" would mean. The story comes from the Point of View of Billy Stanley and is supported bytheir late brother, Rick Stanley.
Elvis set a new perspective of how to treat "step family members". The "blended family" learned the importance of unconditional love. If today, our world would only learn one thing from this film, it would be how to honor people who are in a family through another marriage. A broken family is hard enough to survive, but what hurts even more, is when any family member is rejected or abandoned. When you read the article where Elvis talked about his little brothers, you will see the real heart of Elvis and the reason why he loved his brothers as they loved him.
There has never been a film like this, a film that embodies the faith of Elvis Presley and his brothers. All of these boys were rebels, but each one found God as a direct result of their famous brother. Jesus Christ was the centerpiece for all faith at Graceland was found in the music and life of Elvis Presley.
Billy Stanley's story is powerful, impactful and includes a true miracle in his life when Billy literally died a few years ago. Billy's family literally worked to survive him and his story is the framework for this feature documentary. In this exciting NO DOUBT NO FEAR, Billy tells his powerful story of "going to heaven" after he literally had a seizure, stroke and heart attack when he died in Memphis just a couple years ago. He goes into detail about also seeing his brother, Elvis. The exciting book and film TO HEAVEN AND BACK are now happening.
This entire website is dedicated to a FEATURE DOCUMENTARY FILM about Elvis Presley as told by one of his closest brothers via the marriage of Dee Stanley and Vernon Presley, followed by a new narrative FEATURE FILM currently being created by Billy Stanley and Kevin McAfee.
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In 1960, Elvis said, "Dad, my whole life I have wanted a brother and now I have three!" They became four brothers who were close for a lifetime.
Imagine moving into the mansion at Graceland to live with the first family of Rock & Roll with Elvis Presley. In 1960 these boys had their "stars" changed forever. Growing up at the home of the greatest entertainer who ever lived rocked Billy's world. Every word, every memory and the stories of living with a kind, gracious, fun loving, joyful brother was remarkable. Billy said, "I remember so many things as he became more than a brother, a father, a mentor and eventually an endeared treasure to my heart. Rick and I were always so thrilled to be close to him and this never changed, even through hard times." Elvis was an amazing and loving brother.
All three of the Stanley brothers were there until the end of Elvis Presley's life. Their home of seventeen years had now changed. What did not change was the love they shared.
From the moment the brothers arrived at Graceland, Elvis was adamant about preaching the importance of family every day.
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LAST WORDS...
The boys were at home with Elvis and when he spoke to them, he would "live" what a brother was meant to be. He stood up for his brothers, he loved them and he wanted to see them happy. The boys were treated like blood and this was how it was. The love Elvis showed these boys would forever make them better men. Family remains so very important to their hearts even now. "The last week Elvis was alive he summoned all his step-brothers up to his bedroom for a serious discussion about his legacy. He told them, "It was destiny that brought us all together. I truly believe that. With that being said, if anything ever happens to me, it will be left up to you to tell my story right." All the boys were perplexed and replied, "Nothing is going to happen to you Elvis". He responded, "Only you can share from a brother's perspective." The talk ended up in one of their normal wrestling matches, but Billy and Rick never forgot those words.
After awhile the boys watched Elvis with his Bible opened on his bed, he shared the turn about a relationship with Jesus Christ, and told them he was counting on them, in case something "did happen". Rick would later become an evangelist sharing his faith with over 5,000 churches and he passed away serving a church in South Carolina. Less than a week later, Elvis Presley's life would come to an expected close at the young age of 42. Now, their true story will be told for Elvis fans and all blended families. There would be none who carried the name of "the brothers of Elvis Presley", except his twin who died at birth, with higher regard. Elvis knew his brothers were never there for "fame" but devoted to him the very end. ELVIS TOLD VERNON, "Dad, I want to adopt my brothers and change their last name to Presley; but, out of respect, I want them to feel we were never replacing their heroic father, William Stanley." (Later William Stanley, the boys birth father, would visit Graceland and thank Elvis and Vernon for personally making his boys feel "loved as family".) |
First Let's ANSWERWHO WE ARE
One day, Elvis had picked up Billy, who was the oldest, from elementary school in his pink Cadillac. Billy had the courage to ask Elvis an important question.
"What is a step brother?" Elvis immediately stopped the car and said, "Who said anything about a step brother?" Billy replied, "The kids at school." Elvis looked at him and said, "You are my brother and there is no 'step' about it. I will always be your brother, do you understand?" They sat closer on the way back home to Graceland and Elvis meant it. |
Now WE UNDERSTANDOUR "BLENDED" FAMILY
Family was always first in the life of the King of Rock & Roll. Elvis was a man who always wanted his family close by. This was a loyal trait carried by Elvis who needed people he could trust, family. Even when there were disagreements in the home at Graceland, the love shared was the answer. Holidays were important, birthdays were to be celebrated and laughter, with good cooking, would always go hand in hand. This is why his brothers were recruited into the family business. So, Billy his entire life has wanted to honor his brothers.
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SAYING GOODBYE TOO SOONTHE UNEXPECTED
One week before Elvis was to leave on his final tour, he summoned his brothers to his bedside. He shared with them a premonition that if ever he were to not be around, would his brothers make sure his story was told in the right way. Confused, they didn't know how to respond. His Bible was opened on his bedside and he talked about the Gospel and how the words were true. Less than one week later, Elvis Presley's end shocked the world when at forty-two, their oldest brother, was now gone.
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OUR BIG BROTHER...
"When we walked into the pool-room at Graceland, Elvis saw us and grabbed us up in his arms. He picked us up with a huge embrace. Later that evening, he wanted to put us to sleep, so he got down on his knees by the bed. He told us to kneel and say our prayers. The prayer, he prayed that first night, still echoes in my mind today. From our first night at Graceland, until the last time all four of us were together in his bedroom, he was instilling values, God and unconditional love like no man has ever done before or since then, he shared Christ. Sure he was human and made mistakes along the way. He was not just the King of Rock and Roll or the greatest movie star and music icon/legend; but, he was also the most amazing brother. We were a blended family, but you would have never known it. Every day we miss him and we miss our family being together."
Billy Stanley
Elvis, My Brother
Best-Selling Author
(Pictured above Billy, Elvis and Rick, and David Stanley.)
"When we walked into the pool-room at Graceland, Elvis saw us and grabbed us up in his arms. He picked us up with a huge embrace. Later that evening, he wanted to put us to sleep, so he got down on his knees by the bed. He told us to kneel and say our prayers. The prayer, he prayed that first night, still echoes in my mind today. From our first night at Graceland, until the last time all four of us were together in his bedroom, he was instilling values, God and unconditional love like no man has ever done before or since then, he shared Christ. Sure he was human and made mistakes along the way. He was not just the King of Rock and Roll or the greatest movie star and music icon/legend; but, he was also the most amazing brother. We were a blended family, but you would have never known it. Every day we miss him and we miss our family being together."
Billy Stanley
Elvis, My Brother
Best-Selling Author
(Pictured above Billy, Elvis and Rick, and David Stanley.)
"I sought my soul and my soul alluded me; I sought to serve my brother in his need and I found all three;
my God, my soul and thee." William Blake
my God, my soul and thee." William Blake
WHY A MOVIE NOW?
The family photos of Billy Stanley began after the boys moved in to Graceland. Then, on the set of FOLLOW THAT DREAM in 1961 with Elvis and his brothers, Billy first experienced a movie set. Elvis was in 33 movies and this was a big part of his life. We see Elvis driving at the front of Graceland in 1965 from the Stanley family photos pictured above. Throughout the years the boys all grew closer together and in the same spirit of many entertainers today, the "safety of family" was requested from the King of Rock and Roll always.
All of the Stanley family pictures show how Elvis treated the boys being both a "brother" and a "father figure" was transforming to these children. All the way to the last picture of Elvis and Rick, on stage during a concert, the boys were close by. Now this is all only a memory as Elvis and Rick are both in heaven. ELVIS, MY BROTHER is dedicated to the lifelong love of brotherhood.
Inside this story are powerful words shared by Billy Stanley of the faith of Elvis. Then, later in life Billy experienced a death when he unexpectedly had a heart attack, seizure and stroke. He literally died, went to heaven and came back to life. In this powerful story, Billy shares everything in THE FAITH OF ELVIS PRESLEY.
THE TRUE HISTORY OF BROTHERLY LOVE
Many people will try and re-write family members out of history; and, this is never right. Elvis Presley always stood up for his blended family and was a champion for every blended family. He saw "family" as a sacred treasure of every person; and, instilled this same belief within his brothers, within his daughter and wanted to extend this value to all by the way he lived as an example. This is the purpose that drives this legacy film and Billy Stanley's heart.
The boys celebrated their big brother's marriage to Priscilla. The memory of beautiful laughter, many gifts and wonderful hugs all solidified this first family of Rock and Roll forever into history. The brotherhood should always be remembered and never forgotten or excluded. The living legacy of this family supports a major theme of the life of Elvis in honor of his memory. They love Lisa Marie and still to this day pray for all family members because of the love for family within their hearts.
Lisa is now into Scientology and she never shared the faith of Elvis Presley, but the Stanley brothers knew this gospel Elvis proclaimed was real. EPE unfortunately, has tried to remove the faith of Elvis Presley from Graceland, but there are too many "signs" of his faith in the gospel. Jesus Christ was the one King at Graceland and Elvis reminded everyone of this.
After the death of Elvis, Rick extended his love as an Uncle, after he received a phone call from Lisa, during a very difficult time in her journey when married to Michael Jackson. She was troubled and Rick shared Biblical truths he was taught by her own father. This meeting with Lisa Marie meant the world to Rick. As a result, Lisa was able to overcome the hard times with resolve and purpose.
The middle brother of the three, Rick had become an evangelist, spending his life sharing Christ, by getting a seminary degree from Southwestern. He was able to share his powerful testimony of himself and his brothers, growing up with Elvis, in crusades of faith traveling with Dr. Billy Graham. Jesus Christ was the reason Rick and his brothers were changed; and, Elvis had introduced them to the Gospel since that very first prayer where they kneeled by the bed together.
He was simply extending an Uncle's love to Lisa and was saying, "We are always here, praying for you when the storms of life come your way. We love you and we miss you." This is the spirit of why "family values" that were taught so passionately by Elvis and is now heralded by all the Stanley brothers. Memories and lifelong dreams continue for the first family of Rock & Roll as each family member today is continuing what Elvis was teaching, even on the Hollywood sets, and inspiring all of us to FOLLOW THAT DREAM.
THE STANLEY BROTHERS CONNECTED WITH KEVIN MCAFEE
After Elvis Presley's passing, Rick Stanley and Kevin McAfee became lifelong friends. They met in May of 1980, three years after his passing. They shared together a dream to one day make a film about this story of family. When Rick passed away unexpectedly in January of 2019, Billy contacted Kevin due to the prompting of his wife Liz regarding a motion picture. Kevin and Billy met, talked and prayed together and have now joined forces to humbly work on a beautiful family "film of love".
Billy said, "Elvis was the first person who ever really showed us true affection as children. He carries the most important place in our heart. When we were taken away from the boarding home where we had stayed, we felt like we were orphans, but in a moment everything in our lives changed. We always wanted to be near Elvis, not because of who he was to the world, but three little boys."
"Billy Stanley is speaking, writing and traveling to share the truth of the transformation of God in his life. His powerful testimony is all about how heaven is real in one of the most gripping stories in America today, sharing THE FAITH OF Elvis Presley". Kevin McAfee
The family photos of Billy Stanley began after the boys moved in to Graceland. Then, on the set of FOLLOW THAT DREAM in 1961 with Elvis and his brothers, Billy first experienced a movie set. Elvis was in 33 movies and this was a big part of his life. We see Elvis driving at the front of Graceland in 1965 from the Stanley family photos pictured above. Throughout the years the boys all grew closer together and in the same spirit of many entertainers today, the "safety of family" was requested from the King of Rock and Roll always.
All of the Stanley family pictures show how Elvis treated the boys being both a "brother" and a "father figure" was transforming to these children. All the way to the last picture of Elvis and Rick, on stage during a concert, the boys were close by. Now this is all only a memory as Elvis and Rick are both in heaven. ELVIS, MY BROTHER is dedicated to the lifelong love of brotherhood.
Inside this story are powerful words shared by Billy Stanley of the faith of Elvis. Then, later in life Billy experienced a death when he unexpectedly had a heart attack, seizure and stroke. He literally died, went to heaven and came back to life. In this powerful story, Billy shares everything in THE FAITH OF ELVIS PRESLEY.
THE TRUE HISTORY OF BROTHERLY LOVE
Many people will try and re-write family members out of history; and, this is never right. Elvis Presley always stood up for his blended family and was a champion for every blended family. He saw "family" as a sacred treasure of every person; and, instilled this same belief within his brothers, within his daughter and wanted to extend this value to all by the way he lived as an example. This is the purpose that drives this legacy film and Billy Stanley's heart.
The boys celebrated their big brother's marriage to Priscilla. The memory of beautiful laughter, many gifts and wonderful hugs all solidified this first family of Rock and Roll forever into history. The brotherhood should always be remembered and never forgotten or excluded. The living legacy of this family supports a major theme of the life of Elvis in honor of his memory. They love Lisa Marie and still to this day pray for all family members because of the love for family within their hearts.
Lisa is now into Scientology and she never shared the faith of Elvis Presley, but the Stanley brothers knew this gospel Elvis proclaimed was real. EPE unfortunately, has tried to remove the faith of Elvis Presley from Graceland, but there are too many "signs" of his faith in the gospel. Jesus Christ was the one King at Graceland and Elvis reminded everyone of this.
After the death of Elvis, Rick extended his love as an Uncle, after he received a phone call from Lisa, during a very difficult time in her journey when married to Michael Jackson. She was troubled and Rick shared Biblical truths he was taught by her own father. This meeting with Lisa Marie meant the world to Rick. As a result, Lisa was able to overcome the hard times with resolve and purpose.
The middle brother of the three, Rick had become an evangelist, spending his life sharing Christ, by getting a seminary degree from Southwestern. He was able to share his powerful testimony of himself and his brothers, growing up with Elvis, in crusades of faith traveling with Dr. Billy Graham. Jesus Christ was the reason Rick and his brothers were changed; and, Elvis had introduced them to the Gospel since that very first prayer where they kneeled by the bed together.
He was simply extending an Uncle's love to Lisa and was saying, "We are always here, praying for you when the storms of life come your way. We love you and we miss you." This is the spirit of why "family values" that were taught so passionately by Elvis and is now heralded by all the Stanley brothers. Memories and lifelong dreams continue for the first family of Rock & Roll as each family member today is continuing what Elvis was teaching, even on the Hollywood sets, and inspiring all of us to FOLLOW THAT DREAM.
THE STANLEY BROTHERS CONNECTED WITH KEVIN MCAFEE
After Elvis Presley's passing, Rick Stanley and Kevin McAfee became lifelong friends. They met in May of 1980, three years after his passing. They shared together a dream to one day make a film about this story of family. When Rick passed away unexpectedly in January of 2019, Billy contacted Kevin due to the prompting of his wife Liz regarding a motion picture. Kevin and Billy met, talked and prayed together and have now joined forces to humbly work on a beautiful family "film of love".
Billy said, "Elvis was the first person who ever really showed us true affection as children. He carries the most important place in our heart. When we were taken away from the boarding home where we had stayed, we felt like we were orphans, but in a moment everything in our lives changed. We always wanted to be near Elvis, not because of who he was to the world, but three little boys."
"Billy Stanley is speaking, writing and traveling to share the truth of the transformation of God in his life. His powerful testimony is all about how heaven is real in one of the most gripping stories in America today, sharing THE FAITH OF Elvis Presley". Kevin McAfee