Don Williams and the "Waterfall of Tears"
Caylee Anthony's name will be added to the "Waterfall of Tears", a memory wall created by Don Williams of Leesburg, Florida.
Don began his ‘Waterfall of Tears’ memorial in 2005. It is constructed of concrete blocks and each bear the names of children who have been murdered. Caylee Anthony is to join the Waterfall of Tears and join the ranks of other murdered Angels.
What would inspire such an act? Don’s inspiration to build his memorial to murdered children started almost 4 years ago, after the horrible murder of little 9 year old Jessica Lunsford, from Homosassa, Florida, who was kidnapped, held for days, abused, then buried alive.
The Waterfall of Tears has over 90 murdered children names. Those include Polly Klaas, JonBenet Ramsey, Jimmy Ryce of Homestead, Florida, the students killed in the Columbine High School massacre, and even Julian King, the nephew of singer-actress Jennifer Hudson. They all decorate concrete blocks that sit in Don’s front yard.
Don, who is 47, has seven adult children and is a heavy equipment operator, says it is his way of remembering missing children who were later found dead.
Don says, “it is time to add Caylee Marie Anthony to his Waterfall of Tears, now that she has been found. Now her name will rest with the rest of the Angels on the wall.”
He hopes he can help bring peace to the Anthony family, and to all the families whose children’s names decorate the memorial wall. “I feel like I’m doing something for them to keep their child’s name alive,” he said. “If I can paint Caylee’s name and have her join the rest of the Angels, that would be great. That would really make my day.”
When asked about his Waterfall of Tears, he says, “there was nothing for these little kids that have been murdered,” he said. I thought “I’ve got to dedicate something.” And DO he DID…
Don constructed the 60 foot wide by 60 foot long memorial labeled, “The Waterfall of Tears.” Where the names of murdered children surround a 15-foot-deep pond.
Once he hears about a child found murdered, Don dedicates a block in the child’s memory. The blocks of murdered children have their name, their age at the time of death, with the state of their birth. The whole memorial takes up about a quarter-acre of his property.
“It feels so good letting these parents know their child is not forgotten,” Don stated. The children “had a chance in life and someone took it, for some reason.”
For Caylee, Williams has collected artificial flowers and placed them in an area reserved for her. He keeps a photo of Caylee on the block reserved for her.
He has taken a particular interest in the Caylee Anthony case and has even gone so far as dropping off a video at the Anthony home showing his memorial and his plans to include Caylee. He also participated in the search for Caylee and would like George and Cindy Anthony to personally add Caylee’s name to his Waterfall of Tears. Don says the wall is for the families and he wants them to know their child is not forgotten and that people do care.
Don says, “all kids who lose their lives under tragic circumstances deserve a fitting memorial. These kids didn’t need to die and with each name I’ve written down, I feel a presence of each little kid.”
His Waterfall of Tears will have a new name soon, Caylee Marie Anthony’s place has been saved and her cement block is just waiting for the right time to have her name, age and the state where she was born, added to it. Don Williams will not let Caylee Anthony be forgotten. She will forever be on his Waterfall Of Tears, alongside the other abused Angels.
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