Politics Former President George H.W. Bush Once Feared No One Would Come to His Funeral The former president admitted his worries to his spokesman, Jim McGrath, who tweeted the news on Tuesday By Joelle Goldstein Joelle Goldstein Twitter Joelle Goldstein is a TV Staff Editor for PEOPLE Digital. She has been with the brand for five years, beginning her time as a digital news writer, where she covered everything from entertainment news to crime stories and royal tours. Since then, she has worked as a writer-reporter on the Human Interest team and an associate editor on the TV team. In her current role, Joelle oversees all things TV and enjoys being able to say she has to watch The Kardashians, Dancing with the Stars and America's Got Talent for "work". Prior to joining PEOPLE, Joelle was employed at The Hollywood Reporter. She graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Television-Radio (and an appearance in the NCAA Women's Volleyball Final Four!) People Editorial Guidelines Published on December 5, 2018 12:40 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Before he died at age 94 on Friday, former president George H.W. Bush worried about how the world would react to his death. Bush’s spokesman Jim McGrath revealed the surprising anecdote on Tuesday evening, saying that the 41st President of the United States once feared that no one would show up to his funeral. “Briefed in 2011 about his funeral and lying in state, the 41st President asked with typical humility, ‘Do you think anyone will come?'” he tweeted alongside an aerial photo from the service for the late former leader. “Tonight, people are waiting hours to pay their respects.” Despite Bush’s concerns, thousands of people lined up in the past two days to pay their respects to the late president who has been lying in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda since Monday. Aaron M. Sprecher/AP The 41st president’s body will remain on the Lincoln Catafalque in the Capitol Rotunda through 7 a.m. ET Wednesday, as it will stay open to accommodate public mourners. Bush is the first president to lie in state since the death of Gerald Ford in 2006. Including Bush, only 32 people have ever lain in state in the Rotunda, including Sen. John McCain earlier this year. Sully at the funeral of former President George H. W. Bush. Bill Clark/Congressional Quarterly/Newscom/Zuma Late Friday night, McGrath confirmed the news that Bush has passed away, writing in a statement, “George Herbert Walker Bush, World War II naval aviator, Texas oil pioneer, and 41st President of the United States of America, died on November 30, 2018. He was 94 and is survived by his five children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two siblings.”. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP/REX/Shutterstock “He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Barbara; his second child Pauline ‘Robin’ Bush; and his brothers Prescott and William or ‘Bucky’ Bush,” the statement continued. ‘Devastated’ George W. Bush Is Working on Not ‘Breaking Down’ During Father’s Eulogy On Monday, the late president’s son George W. Bush was visibly emotional while mourning his father during the state funeral at the Capitol Rotunda. Supporting the eldest Bush sibling, 72, was his wife, former first lady Laura Bush and their twin daughters as well as his brothers Jeb Bush, 65, Neil Bush, 63, Marvin Bush, 62, and sister Dorothy Bush Koch, 59. Former US President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush. TING SHEN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Jenna Bush Hager, Henry Hager, and Barbara Bush. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP/REX/Shutterstock The family was joined by Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. On Tuesday evening, the Bushes returned to the Capitol Rotunda. George, Laura, Jenna, and Barbara were once again by their beloved patriarch’s side as they placed a hand on the flag-draped casket. George H.W. Bush’s Service Dog Sully Guards His Coffin in Poignant Photo: ‘Mission Complete’ BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call Along with the hundreds of visitors, Bush also had his most faithful pal, his service dog Sully, by his side. In a heartbreaking photo posted to Instagram, Sully lies by Bush’s flag-draped coffin in a well-lit room, keeping the 41st commander in chief safe in death as he did in life. “Mission complete,” McGrath tweeted alongside the picture. RELATED VIDEO: A Memorial Grows Outside The Home Of President George H.W. Bush Sully has also been in attendance over the past few days at the Washington D.C. services while the former president is lying in state. The canine will then relocate to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to assist more veterans like Bush, according to CNN. Bush’s state funeral will be held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET. In a presidential proclamation, Trump declared that Wednesday would be dedicated to Bush’s memory and that flags should be lowered to half-staff in his honor for 30 days.