She was to Write Elvis' Life Story
"Wanda June Hill is the sweetest person," said Barbara Lee whom had spoken with Wanda after her book, 'We Remember Elvis' was published. "It's no small wonder that Elvis trusted her completely with his life and chose Wanda to write about it."
Wanda first met Elvis on the set of "Kissin' Cousins" when a friend of hers who had a brief role in the film invited her to meet Elvis.
As Barbara Lee noted, "Elvis loved to talk on the phone and would hang out on the phone for two, three hours." So it was with Wanda June. Elvis would call her up at all hours just to talk or to watch television shows together. It became very clear that Elvis was lonely and longed for companionship despite that he always had a full house.
Elvis got to know Wanda, her husband and their little girl. Wanda's book, which can be found on Amazon, tells the whole story of how she met Elvis and how they spent their time together over the years. They did not date. Wanda became a trusted confidante' and Elvis liked it that way. Barbara Lee called him "the great compartmentalizer" and so he was.
It might be said that out of all the people Elvis knew, both kith and kin, each one knew a different aspect of his personality or a part of his story no others may have known. Wanda June interviewed Elvis for what was to become his story. Elvis had wanted to do an autobiography, told a couple of friends, and picked out the title: "Through My Eyes" by Elvis Aron Presley.Elvis had written down some notes which Wanda read and was so impressed, she told Elvis he should write about his "fascinating" story. Elvis responded: "That is very kind of you to say, but I would get too hung up on what word went where."
Elvis asked Wanda if she would do the honors, and she agreed. The year was 1976. Elvis was not well and, needless to say, the project never materialized. Wanda June remembered, however, a part of the Elvis Presley story enough to begin her own book, sharing the very rare and intimate moments of memories created with Elvis. The book is wonderful, and all Elvis fans should own a copy. There are a few high points in the book, one which will be shared here because it brings to light the inner Elvis, the man with a depth of soul that no one close around him came to know. He sent the following poem to Wanda June at Christmas, 1976, so that all his friends might read it in the book that never came to be.
FOR ALL MY FRIENDS
The times I've shared with you my friends, cannot be bought with money, promises or fame.
Though shallowness has become the trend, I'm not the kind to play that game with those I hold so dear.
So I am stating hear and now for all of you to hear-and before I take my final bow- it's your love that brings the song to me. The melody of my soul is played by your love untold.
Without you I am nothing an could never be so bold. The times we've shared, the laughter and the tears. Priceless memories, treasures all.
How could I ever fail? With you I don't fear that at all.-
Elvis Presley 1976
