Revealed: Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson's heartbreaking last words before his death at 79
The TV personality had passed away on May 20 at the age of 79 following a battle with Alzheimer's - leaving fans devastated when his loved ones announced the sad news.
Willie, 53, who notably starred alongside his late dad in the A&E reality series Duck Dynasty from 2012-2017, opened up about Phil's last words during an interview with TV Insider.
'Phil had been struggling with Alzheimer's for a while. It was on our mind for sure, his condition. It's part of life.'
He then added, 'Phil had such a strong faith. He told us before, "Do not cry at my funeral. I know where I'm going."'
Willie also discussed the multitude of messages the family has received since Robertson's death and further reflected on the impact the professional hunter had on others.
'What a life he lived. We heard that from thousands of people, the people he impacted. Phil would have wanted us to do exactly what we're doing. Whatever is a reflection of that faith, and our show is a reflection of our faith. Not overtly.'
The star continued to the outlet, 'We're not trying to preach to people or convert people, but I think you can see the fruit in the faith of our show and our family and how it sticks together through good times and bad.
'That's why we are on this earth. As we move on, I think it's a reminder to all of us the time will come. I hope I have a funeral like that where people feel that way about me as well.'
A sequel series to the original A&E show titled Duck Dynasty: The Revival premiered on the network on June 1 - only days after Phil's passing.
Willie's wife Korie talked about how while Phil was not able to take part in filming the revival due to his heath battle, they were able to show a brief clip of the late star sending a thumbs up to Willie.
She explained, 'Our show came out the week Phil passed. It was really special to our family that we had that one little clip.
'When filming this time around, he was already in the throes of Alzheimer's, so he wasn't able to be part of the show.'
Korie continued, 'We did film that one little thing where he gave Willie the thumbs up. It was really special because for our family it felt like, okay, this is his opportunity to pass on the torch to us.'
Nearly two months earlier, Phil's family issued a statement on Facebook to announce his death after a battle with Alzheimer's in his final months.
'We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord,' Willie's daughter-in-law Korie had written.
'Thank you for the love and prayers of so many whose lives have been impacted by his life saved by grace, his bold faith, and by his desire to tell everyone who would listen the Good News of Jesus.'
She then added, 'We are grateful for his life on earth and will continue the legacy of love for God and love for others until we see him again.'
Other family members jumped to social media to pay tribute to Phil such as Willie and Jep Robertson, and the late star's granddaughter Sadie.
Sadie also recently revealed the last words her grandfather had told her on Instagram and said: 'One of the last things he said to me was "full strength ahead!" Amen!'
It came after she also shared a Bible verse which read: 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come – 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV.'
The media personality continued, 'As I was sitting with Papaw Phil today, I thought about this verse… he has already experienced this on earth - going from dead to alive by the power of Christ!
'It was his testimony that changed his life, our families life, and thousands of others. Now he is experiencing it in the fullness. Fully alive in Christ. The new has come.'
Late last year in December, Phil's family revealed that the Ducky Dynasty patriarch had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
The news was shared to the Unashamed with The Robertson Family podcast at the time, with his son Jase explaining that the disease was in the 'early stages.'
He expressed that Phil 'keeps saying, "I'm gonna get back to the podcast." But I'm like, "Well, Phil, you can barely walk around without crying out in pain."'
Jase then shared, 'He just can't retain weight, he keeps losing weight, and he's just not able to do much.'
Despite his health battles, the late star had kept up his humor with Jase saying that he had told his dad, 'You know, your memory is not what it once was.' And Phil responded with, 'Tell me about it.'
Last week, it was revealed that Phil's widow Miss Kay has made an 'unbelievable' health comeback two months after her husband's heartbreaking death.
Last month in June, her son Willie revealed that she was 'not in the best of health' as she mourned the loss of her husband and Duck Dynasty monarch.
However, he recently joined wife Korie to offer a positive update on his mother during an interview with Fox News Digital published on Wednesday.
'She is doing so much better. It's unbelievable how she made the turn. I think she was just really kind of depressed after Phil passed away,' Willie told the outlet.
'You know, you've been with somebody for 60 years, over 60 years, so just losing her soulmate and she is getting older.'
Willie added that his mother had been 'struggling' with Phil's death but has since 'bounced back, and she just went to church. I think she's going out of town this weekend. She's traveling more. She's on our show.'
Korie also expressed how Miss Kay made an appearance on the Duck Call Room podcast this month as 'a proof of life video.'
She further said that Kay has 'been with us for a few things that we've been filming this week. So that's been really special.
Willie also reflected on his father's passing and stated, 'We were just happy knowing that he's gone on to be with the Lord, and he was so secure in that.
'That's pretty much all he talked about his whole life was whenever it ended, the faith and hope that he had.
'Also with Alzheimer's - the bad part is you have to watch them go down, but I think it does prepare you and I think she may have been even in denial, you know, like that it was actually gonna happen.'
Willie explained that Kay 'just had to deal with it' but 'stuck close to the family.'
The reality star continued, 'We were all there and all around her, and she was with different family members and just took care of her friends and the relationships she had.'
He then expressed gratitude that his mother is able to have 'brighter days' but admitted not having his father around has left 'a big void.'
'And I know them two were so together in pretty much everything that they did, so I know it was hard for her.'
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