Arkansas Bill: A Life Worth Fighting For

This episode wasn't what we expected.
It's turned out to be something more.
Arriving to Arkansas, we found Bill gravely sick yet afraid to go to the hospital. But with the support of his family, friends, and all of us who've come to know him through these stories, we helped steer Bill toward treatment.
He would be diagnosed with COPD and COVID-19.
From his hospital bed, we kept in touch, seeing him through his recovery and eventually returning to his dogs, donkey, and his gal, Norma Jo.
This episode isn't lighthearted like the previous three. It is, however, more revealing and powerful. AND it coincides with The Periphery's mission to help those whose stories we share.
This episode is affiliated with our nonprofit The Periphery Foundation (theperiphery.org). Donations made in Bill's name will all go toward help him and Jo, as they face expenses and housing costs following Bill's hospitalization. Or, donate to our GoFundMe already set up: www.gofundme.com/f/tipping-ar...
Thank you for watching and caring.
***
SUPPORT:
-Be a part of our channel's mission by becoming a supporting member: / theperiphery​
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Also, email me at [e-mail] for other ways to contribute--feedback, ideas, etc.
SOCIAL:
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Email: [e-mail]
CREDITS:
Creator: Brandon Ferdig
Co-creator: Paul Givens
Production: Casey Blum
Photography: Paul Givens
Music:
Song: Light Beneath Us
Artist: Kevin Bean
Song: Blood in the Bayou (ft. River Lume)
Artist: Spearfisher
Song: Early Mornings
Artist: Paper Planes
Song: Vulnerable
Artist: Fjordor
Song: Convolutions
Artist: Ardie Son
HAVE A GREAT DAY.

[@ThePeriphery]

7-6-22 UPDATE: New Arkansas Bill Premiere: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmjRaIiJisekZ5I Bill shares about taking the high road after losing his dear Norma Jo.

[@Vbluevital]

Thank You for caring! You most likely saved his life. Best wishes to you Bill. We're glad you're better.

[@jimkelly6371]

Instead of sending Billions of dollars to foreign countries, America needs to help its own Citizens.. Perfect example of folks needing help, both Monetarily and Mentally.

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@MattMorris481]

Why mentally?

[@sledgesworld]

Hi from the UK. I was married for 27 years and have two beautiful children called Adam and Jazmine. There were times I had nothing for my family, and hard times were always around the corner. But thank GOD we always pulled through. Bless You, all where ever you are.

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@reidellis1988]

What a kind comment. Cheers! And God bless you.

[@marireynolds3996]

One tuff Arkansas razor back my good friend Bill Jones 👍

[@rkthakur7016]

god bless you bill. get well soon.true american. love and blessings from india

[@mrmemozepeda]

Poor Bill, tough son of a gun didn't want any medical help. I'm so happy he's doing better. Feel better Bill, hope to see you and Brandon together soon. Great video, you guys are awesome.

[@saucejohnson9862]

I know people like this, some died because they thought they could tough out heart attacks, it’s the older mentality to just “tough it out”.

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@danielhelbig1116]

Billy is such a kind neighbor, he’s got a place in heaven for helping these people out.

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@rkthakur7016]

brandon you are a good person. love and blessings from india,

[@FrankRoy-xw7po]

Brandon, if it weren't for you there would have been a funeral. You are awesome

[@ThePeriphery]

🙏

[@christismith8213]

This video hit me in the feels. Cried all through it! 🥺 Thank God Bill pulled through it! He’s a wonderful soul and they don’t make em like him anymore! Praying for Bill & Sweet Jo, too! Thank y’all for updating us up on them!

[@ThePeriphery]

I knew we were onto something with this one when I got teary -eyed during the final hospital bed montage:) Getting to the heart of being human--THAT'S what this channel is all about.

[@thevintagemom5455]

It is sweet that you cared so much about him.

[@marireynolds3996]

Bill keep your confederate flag flying high and proud.

[@ericbunksvintagesportsman6311]

God bless Bill!!!! Love ya Buddy!!!

[@CreampieSamuri]

Protect Bull AT ALL COSTS. The man is an American treasure

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@Cassscadip]

Prayers for Bill and Jo. Thank you for this beautiful update.

[@magirusdeutzjupiter2234]

Bill and his gf are more kind, heartful, thoughtful, and loving than the majority of people I know that are 100s time more well off. Bill is a GREAT guy, some one you could look up to, learn, and see the world as it is, not the selfish, greedy and screwed up place it is. God bless Bill and his gf, the salt and true essence of real people. I thank you very much for the videos, and letting us into Bill and his gf's life of a humble, honest, down to Earth absolutely amazing people!!

[@ThePeriphery]

You're very welcome, magirus:) Thank you for watching and caring.

[@magirusdeutzjupiter2234]

@@ThePeriphery Thanks, and thanks for a great job. 👍

[@veker.k5217]

Hey I really appreciate what you do .. may God bless you Love and support from northeast India Nagaland(the most Baptist state in the world) new subscriber here

[@ThePeriphery]

Thank you, Veke! Hope your 2022 is starting well.

[@Brobotics.]

I found this video randomly. You are all amazing people this really made me feel good to watch to see how everyone worked together and in the end everything was ok. You are all great people! Hope your doing good Bill!

[@YahshuamySovereign]

💞Thank you for caring, & watching.💞 ✨✨✨🏆✨✨✨ 💞💞💞🏆💞💞💞 🕊🕊🕊🏆🕊🕊🕊

[@berthaedington1708]

Your endless compassion Brandon is amazing to me and a gift to the world! Thanks for all the amazing work!

[@CeciliaAntonelli]

i repeat! yes, amazing people, amazing work ♥ thank you Brandon

[@ThePeriphery]

I'm humbled--we who work on these videos are all humbled--by these words, Bertha. Bless you:) We'll keep it up. In fact, I'm on my way out the door to pick up some holiday donations for a couple of new videos this month! Stay tuned.

[@user-eg3dq7lx1p]

I'm crying. You're a wonderful person, Brandon. I pray for Bill and Joe. Best wishes from your Russian subscriber❤️

[@ThePeriphery]

So happy to hear this, Daria, and to have you as a subscriber:)

[@liamdavies7027]

Nice to see Bill is getting better. He’s a good man. Keeping him in my thoughts & prayers 🙏🏻

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@themaineiac207]

Thank you for documenting first of all, but really thank you for caring. Looking out for people. You’re a great person and you’re helping people in all the right ways. I’m from Maine and I’d love to see you come up here and do a video

[@ThePeriphery]

Thanks so much. You know, I've long been interested in Maine. Simply because we don't hear much about it. What aspects of Maine would you like to share if I came there to interview folks?

[@hmgerlock1762]

Thinking of Bill..all the best from the Northwest Territories, Northern Canada..Get well!

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@fillernation4527]

Proud to be from Arkansas. Love ya brother Bill. Stay strong and keep the faith!

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@bobsagetsbastarddaughter4591]

Outstanding work, hard to come by men like this nowadays..to say the least

[@OneStoneyBoi141]

God bless you bill I hope you’re doing well and I made something for ya

[@obySedgefieldgemofourgardenrou]

Bet this guy and mrs are a lot happier than most greedy snobbos that populate our world,just making do and living,fishing bit of deer when lucky,just as long as theyre safe and dont get harrased,such beautiful people, and how usa has forgotten about their own country folk, lovely to see true genuine people, wish them good health and many years of fun happy living,away from all the bs.

[@bluesslider76]

I remember going through this with my mama. She was tough and didn’t want to go. Glad she did because I had her for a few more years. God bless these folks . They are irreplaceable.

[@joshuaclark8633]

Wishing him the best from South ga

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@janky477]

He had COVID AND COPD?! Strong will to be able to breathe at all! Bill is one of those Arkansas Gems that Brandon was able to save with his generosity.

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@shannonpattenthepatriot517]

Like I said one video y'all did to him my neighbor he knew Bill Jones his name is Keith Anderson he lived down the street from me I used to mow his lawn for him and we are very good friends and still to this day on Facebook

[@tammyslagle9607]

Brandon you have a wonderful,caring heart and God will truly bless you for all you do.

[@ThePeriphery]

🙏 Thank you, Tammy. Happy holidays!

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@kathymclain2632]

Pulling for you Mr. Bill! God bless you. Brandon, your a good man!

[@ThePeriphery]

🙏

[@timholcomb9926]

I hope Bill make the good good recovery me and him is way too much alike just old country boy ourselves here living in The Boondocks with the animals too bad you couldn't get up with me and do a story about this it would be pretty awesome actually the kind of life I've lived and now

[@ThePeriphery]

Where you at?

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@longshotphoto]

Great work, Brandon. Thanks for sharing these stories- so heartwarming. Please keep us posted on how Bill is doing!

[@ThePeriphery]

Glad it warmed your heart, Tom:) Thanks for watching and caring. And, yes, more updates to come.

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@SHELUVJUAN]

Hope that Goodman feels well I really love these videos and what that Jo said “have faith”

[@CeciliaAntonelli]

from Argentina, much love to Bill, Jo, and their baby animals. I Remember when in the second video, he took the money and said "this will be for the food of my dogs" ,,, i said to myself, "this man deserve the paradise", BUT NOT NOW BILL! get well soon and have a long life with your beautiful family ♥

[@ephraimwarrior6766]

thank god they talk him to go i love this guy i just learn of this guy and yt.

[@bishophowardslayton-ulccle359]

God bless Mr Arkansas Bill. Hope you get well.

[@douggrove762]

I like the series.keep up the good work.

[@morganlouisie5396]

Hey Brandon, I think it was really kind of you to do that for bill. If I remember I’m gonna have to talk to you about this because it’s really amazing. Jo and bill seem like really nice folks too :)

[@ThePeriphery]

Reach out anytime:) [e-mail]

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@wildbill1313]

Bill this is bill from ga get your but up get to gettin gods got you

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@calebowens3006]

Marijuana and Elton John, I can relate, I guess that’s why they call it the blues 🤙

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@absenteegem4968]

Thanks for this update. Hope bill gets to feeling better.

[@CreampieSamuri]

PLEASE keep us updated more on Bill

[@ThePeriphery]

We absolutely intend to!

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@davidgingerich2230]

God Bless you Bill. Git well soon

[@name-ey5it]

This was sadding thing I have ever seen on KZbin, made me cry, seeing , I hope he is doing better.

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@roya6617]

You are loved

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@tommatin2021]

U guys are great people 🙏❤️

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@zainpo7a708]

Huge respect to you too sir

[@danielhelbig1116]

God bless you man for helping him

[@ThePeriphery]

I appreciate that. Thank you, Daniel. He now needs more help than ever, actually--spiritual support, as he grieves the loss of his Norma Jo.

[@tammyslagle9607]

Good to see him getting better prayers for bill& family and thank you Brandon and Paul for the videos &what u do

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@danielhelbig1116]

This entire story earns my subscribe! Great work man you brought so much honesty and emotion to this journey

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@billmarsh7877]

Thank you Brandon for helping Bill!🙂

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@rossken9228]

You are a hero Brandon. Hope Bill gets better soon and you guys can go for hunting.

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today?

[@joojoobean7656]

Shoutout pookie

[@IdahoHillbilly]

Y'all are Good Folks! Just Subbed

[@ThePeriphery]

It's Bill's birthday today:) kzbin.info/door/k4UvAeil4GM6EPtw7X5sdAcommunity

[@aaronmortimore8303]

Come on Bill fight this

[@tammyslagle9607]

Prayers 🙏🙏

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@cknight4440]

I hope bill gets better

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@RajPatel-bx3wh]

Please update about him sooner,I just need to know that he's fine...

[@ThePeriphery]

Jo just passed away. So we'll be seeing Bill again this spring or summer. Thank you for caring.

[@RajPatel-bx3wh]

@@ThePeriphery oh🥺,my deepest sympathies to her...

[@ThePeriphery]

@@RajPatel-bx3wh Thanks, Here's the post: kzbin.infoUgkxvM72Cuj68fc2e0ncwRQazzQ_HdFn4Nck

[@emilymoore8140]

Dad I just want to say that I love you very much and I'm sorry about Jo.And I'm sorry I haven't came to see you been crazy around here I hope your doing okay take care of your self. And you have another grandson we will come see you soon I promise I love you.

[@jimkelly6371]

Wow... What a Jewel... SMH..

[@adoginacowboyhat8196]

How’s bill doing now? I hope he’s doing just fine, he’s an Arkansan, so he’s a fighter!

[@LittleJack-qe1ft]

I was in A. F. Back in the ‘70s I’m white I had a black roommate in barracks. Behind my bunk I had a rebel flag with an old confederate soldier holding the flag saying “hell no I ain’t forgot “. We absolutely never related the rebel flag with slavery. The subject never came up. I blame mainstream media for pushing racism

[@shadrak520]

Good thing u showed up when u did other wise that might have been the end .... Any way good on u..... And remember u can't always judge a book by the cover..... Good on u ....

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@tommycrawford9491]

Thank god.

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@chilee6994]

Maybe the place is loaded with mold??. Black mold.. Bad of respiration,, I don't know? Cheers from Vietnam...

[@BSferle]

Brandon, thank-you for caring....

[@ThePeriphery]

🙏

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@ericbunksvintagesportsman6311]

Love this great work brother

[@ThePeriphery]

You're welcome. Thank you for watching and caring, Eric:) -Brandon

[@ericbunksvintagesportsman6311]

@@ThePeriphery Yw! God Bless!

[@fanmaxis3004]

Probably why Bill and Jo got sick because they had no water

[@joewilliams4142]

You are a good man…

[@clydegray9714]

Friends are hard to come by. Especially when your down. You got reason to wake up breathing. Not everybody's got a lop eard mule.

[@thecalikitchen5970]

How is bill doing today?

[@ThePeriphery]

Doing alright. He's getting healthier each day, but he's also getting over the loss of his partner, Norma Jo. In fact, we're coming with a new video about this tomorrow.

[@prestanhutchens7798]

I am from Waldron which is were this is

[@lukethedrifter]

It's between Mansfield and Waldron in Abbott before Booth Hill

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@foreward100]

Where is God? He is found in the kindness of others.

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@shannonpattenthepatriot517]

Yeah I will tell him he needs to quit smoking them cigarettes they killed my she had to have IVs in their arm I'm telling him out of tough love he needs to quit smoking them cigarettes

[@herbrachel3663]

Woow dude

[@betsyleighlancaster5528]

Can you tell me how jo passed away

[@ihatethemowerguyandthefish6682]

Billy bob guy

[@BSferle]

Can't Stop a Train....

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@jakeharris7507]

Get better, bill!

[@Franceliakarlee]

Hello how are you doing today.?

[@dudermcdude9245]

Definition of Foreign Aid is poor people from a rich country giving money to rich people in a poor country.

[@cliffordbryant9658]

That's right if your not a country Boy your Not a real True Redneck