LOVE FROM A BROTHER

Last month I spoke about the important role Liz Stanley has been in this process and as the First Lady to Billy, I want to focus this month on the kind of man Billy Stanley is.

If you have had the opportunity to see his posts and stories of his relationship to the King of Rock and Roll, it's easy to understand he is not a fan. He is one of the close family members that from the time he was seven, Elvis adopted he and his two brothers as life time brothers.

Elvis said he had always wanted a brother, since losing his identical twin at birth, the three small children being seven, six and four moved into Graceland in 1960 not really knowing what their life would turn out like.

Every year, Graceland is visited as a museum, but every year Billy walks into his childhood home and as strangers walk the halls, he remembers the meals in the kitchen, or around the table. He will reminisce about the Christmas times and the intimate celebrations.

When you go outside, he will get a tear in his eye talking about sweet memories or he will break out laughing talking about pop bottle rocket fights in the backyard, riding horses on the property or hanging out in the racquet ball court. Billy sees films inside the backyard buildings where he is riding go carts, swimming or welcoming home their new niece.

This was his life and it was not a life he asked for, but has always felt the deepest love for his family.  Was the family perfect?  No family is and I have heard the pain in his voice when fans or even historians become self proclaimed experts. I have seen him hold his tongue when bad things are shared.

What made Billy different?  Elvis.

Elvis shared the gospel with Billy because he had always wanted to be a minister and sharing his faith with his "little brothers" became a way of living. There was conflict among family members, but never among the brothers.  If there was, Elvis had a way of fixing things real quickly.

A few years ago, Billy died.  His heart stopped for between eleven and fifteen minutes and he had an out of body experience. He woke up in heaven where he literally saw his brother Elvis. They had a conversation and then, miraculously Billy came back to life.

Billy was transformed and he heard the voice of God say, "No Doubt, No Fear". This is now a mantra he carries in his journey to heaven and back. He will be sharing this journey in the book and the feature documentary.  Please keep our entire film team in your prayers as we seek the right Executive Producers to help us make this dream, a literal reality.

Thank you Billy for being the man you are.  There are many Elvis fans who would love for you to share stories on this site too.  

Love you brother,

​Kevin