Fogelman shared a photo of his note on Twitter, and it hearkens back to a powerful scene earlier in the season. Remember when Kevin (Justin Hartley) told Randall's kids that just because someone might not be around anymore, their memory still lives on (as in the case of his painting)? His quote puts William's death in perspective. Randall is grieving, but he got to know his father in his last days, and he was able to form a bond with him that he won't forget. William may not be on screen anymore in This Is Us, but he'll always be a part of the painting.