Life is Better with Company

A common misconception about purpose in life is that one needs fame and fortune and force to be a success in our time on Earth. But the truth is, all one needs to make a positive mark and make a difference in this world is to have friends. And when you are gone, the measure of your impact on those around you can be appraised by the words of those companions you leave behind.

William “Mike” McCoy, affectionately nicknamed Dawg by all those who knew him, had friends, many friends, and when he tragically left this mortal plane on June 21, the response, the kind words, the remembrances of the impact he made in his 56 years was remarkable and indicated he was a man who made an impact on all those lucky enough to call him friend.

A selection of the dozens of messages left on Mike’s Facebook page:

“Dawg’s home page reads, ‘Live everyday like it’s your last, be happy…’. I’ve never met another man that lived that mantra the way he did. He loved life. He loved his friends. He loved his family. He loved God. I count myself very fortunate for his friendship. This one hurts,” William Fox.

“To know him was to love him. You’ll never meet a man with a bigger heart than he. He was a friend to all. No one could tell a story and make you laugh like this man could. He was a God-fearing man that loved his family and friends BIG. He was the absolute most loyal of friends. We were blessed to know him,” Leigh Anne Wiliams.

“I hope you know how much you were loved and what a light you shine…….,” Brenda Nave Haynes.

“He was my role model as he fought epilepsy since he was a teen and would give me pep talks when I was sick. He was loved by many and could take on any food eating challenge around like it was nothing! Rest easy my brother. Our tears are selfish because you are reunited with your mama and our elders, right where you longed to be,” Rachel Nunez.

“My heart is heavy with a sadness I can’t explain; 30 years ago I met this man. He was a giant among men. Fly high Dawg up on those streets of gold. Forever loved. Forever missed,” Becca Holder.

“It’s such a sad day for us folks from Minden La. He was known by MANY… We have lost a special soul, a great friend of our family. His stories were the best. He could get you laughing so fast and easily to where you would forget your own troubles,” Tracy Ray.

Mike was born June 28, 1964 in Shreveport and entered into rest June 21, 2021 in Minden. It was one week shy of his 57th birthday. Mike was a salesman with Minden Athletic, a life- long member of Whispering Pines Missionary Baptist Church, and coached Little League Baseball for 25 years. He loved the Minden Crimson Tide and the Dallas Cowboys.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa Bridges McCoy; daughter, Morgan McCoy; sister, Carlene McCoy Miller; brothers, Scotty McCoy and wife Belinda and Jason Salsburg and wife Samantha all of Minden; granddaughter, Kennedy Lewis and a number of nieces and nephews.

Mike’s last Facebook post came on June 10th at 10:30 in the morning. He was asking for prayers for a missing boy in North Carolina. That’s the kind of person Mike was. His heart was huge, and he made an impact on those around him. As pointed out earlier in the story, Mike’s Facebook page states: “Enjoy everyday like it’s your last, and be happy….”

William “Mike” McCoy, known as Dawg by those lucky enough to call him friend, lived each day like it was his last. He was happy and made others happy.

He accomplished more good for the world than many CEOs and people of power. He left a mark on the world and exited it having made it a little bit better place.

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