April 22, 1999 - Audobon, PA - For the past three years, Bill Hemsing could barely move, yet he was one of the area's most mobile men. Yesterday, Hemsing died, but his artistic legacy lives on.

Perhaps Hemsing did most of his living in his dying days.

Hemsing, 59, learned he suffered from Lou Gehrig's disease in January 1996. Since then, he and his family have watched his body detiorate, but witnessed unbelievable growth.

Hemsing never sat still, even after he lost complete control of his body. Lou Gehrig's disease, also know as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease which generally attacks men between the ages of 40 and 75. It leads to muscular weakness, and as the disease progresses, severe impairment.

Despite complete paralysis, Hemsing refused to allow the disease to cripple his spirit.

He was an accomplished athlete and artist. He was a member of the 1957 Norristown Area Basketball Team and was also a member of the Soccer and Baseball teams. He will always be a member of the Norristown's Hall of Fame.

As he aged, he played golf and tennis. He also painted as a hobby, decorating his home with his works.

ALS made his participation in sports impossible, but the artist within was stimulated by the disease.

And as technology developed along with his determination, Hemsing began to create new art and enhancing old paintings.

His mind remained strong throughout his struggle with ALS. He, with help from his wife, Nancy, his two daughters, Tara and Tracy, and his son, Brant, began using his artistic flair to help others with ALS.

They created 'The Artist Within' - an organization created in May 1996 to raise money and awareness for ALS.

Mrs. Hemsing said her husband was responsible for raising about $40,000 for those with the disease.

He lost the use of his limbs but learned to use a voice activated computer to create new works. His artwork appeared on notecards and prints, which were sold to fund an ALS research project.

"The main reason he started 'The Artist Within' was to create awareness of ALS. He met so many people and showed people they could live with ALS. He created art and always enjoyed life. He really was an inspiration to so many," his wife said.

Hemsing and his family travelled across the country showing and selling his work for the benefit of others. "His perserverance helped so many people," Mrs. Hemsing said.

"Especially children. There were so many children who were interested in what he was doing and what ALS was. He made an impression wherever he went. He was a great man," she said.