Badwater Bill's Memorial Service

The room was standing room only... about 10 people were left without
seats in the back. I noted the room capacity was 200 and I'm sure that
was an accurate count since I was the first up with my memories of
Badwater Bill and couldn't see one empty chair. In fact, my own seat
was taken while I was up front...

Several neighbors, former co-workers and long time friends shared their
memories of Billy. There were tears and a few laughs at the stories
told. Kevin told of helping Bill learn to use a light hand on the
controls of a helicopter. Apparently, Bill was using a "death grip" on
the controls so Kevin took him out for a 6 hour flight. He said that by
the end of that flight Billy was using a light grip on the controls...
"no one can keep a death grip for 6 hours"...

A slide show of Bill's life was shown which brought tears again...

After the inside service we all went outside where two doves were
released and everyone got a chance to launch a small wooden model
airplane into the air.

A reception followed where we had a chance to talk about Bill with each
other and enjoy much good food. I sat next to Janice's twin sister..
first time I'd met her. Slightly different hairdo but, otherwise, an
identical twin. She is just as charming and wonderful to talk to as
Janice. Joanne has been at Janice's side almost constantly since the
accident.

A few of us left the reception to go back to our hotel room where we
toasted Billy... we filled a plastic cup with Billy's favorite scotch
and put it on the TV. With a note that read, "This is my scotch so keep
your ****ing hands off of it"... signed, "BWB"... I think I was
channeling Billy about that time. At the end of the evening, we poured
a bit of scotch from that cup into each persons cup. And we thanked
Billy for sharing his scotch with us as we made a final toast to
Badwater Bill. The best friend and worst enemy you could ever have....

Some pictures were taken at the wake and Oyster will be emailing access
details for the pics to those interested.

John Ammeter wrote:

The room was standing room only...

There were tears and a few laughs at the stories told.

Did any women stand up and while looking his wife in the eye recount
stories about how they had been publicly called ****s by this fine man.

Any members of this group show up and tell how much they enjoyed being
publicly denigrated by being called galactically stupid.

Any on the Pinkneyville hit list show up to express their appreciation
for the repeated attacks on their yearly fly in by this pompous asshole.

Anybody else here want to add some of their personal recollections of
what Bill was really like.

BERNIE THE BUNION wrote:
John Ammeter wrote:

The room was standing room only...

There were tears and a few laughs at the stories told.

Did any women stand up and while looking his wife in the eye recount
stories about how they had been publicly called ****s by this fine man.

Any members of this group show up and tell how much they enjoyed being
publicly denigrated by being called galactically stupid.

Any on the Pinkneyville hit list show up to express their appreciation
for the repeated attacks on their yearly fly in by this pompous asshole.

Anybody else here want to add some of their personal recollections of
what Bill was really like.


Those that could, probably won't: recalling that 'de mortuis, nihil nisi
bonum'.
For every offended person who is unforgiving, best to recall that he
finally encountered something more unforgiving - the airplane.

Brian W

On Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:59:14 GMT, BERNIE THE BUNION
wrote:

John Ammeter wrote:

The room was standing room only...

There were tears and a few laughs at the stories told.

Did any women stand up and while looking his wife in the eye recount
stories about how they had been publicly called ****s by this fine man.

Any members of this group show up and tell how much they enjoyed being
publicly denigrated by being called galactically stupid.

Any on the Pinkneyville hit list show up to express their appreciation
for the repeated attacks on their yearly fly in by this pompous asshole.

Anybody else here want to add some of their personal recollections of
what Bill was really like.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Thank you for this opportunity, BERNIE.

With Bil's passing......
I may no longer have to worry about Bill and his lawyer(s)
suing or threatening to sue my ass into the poor house.

I wish all that revere Bill could experience my relief and euphoria.


- Barnyard BOb -

The more people I meet,
the more I like my dog &
George Carlin humor.

Barnyard BOb wrote:

Thank you for this opportunity, BERNIE.

With Bil's passing......
I may no longer have to worry about Bill and his lawyer(s)
suing or threatening to sue my ass into the poor house.

I wish all that revere Bill could experience my relief and euphoria.


- Barnyard BOb -



Not trying to start anything here BOb, but who will feel the same way
when you go?

"cavelamb" wrote in message
m...
Barnyard BOb wrote:

Thank you for this opportunity, BERNIE.

With Bil's passing......
I may no longer have to worry about Bill and his lawyer(s) suing or
threatening to sue my ass into the poor house.

I wish all that revere Bill could experience my relief and euphoria.


- Barnyard BOb -


Not trying to start anything here BOb, but who will feel the same way
when you go?

Gee, I'm not trying to start anything either, but who will feel the same way
when you go Richard?

"BERNIE THE BUNION" wrote in message
...
John Ammeter wrote:

The room was standing room only...

There were tears and a few laughs at the stories told.

Did any women stand up and while looking his wife in the eye recount
stories about how they had been publicly called ****s by this fine man.

Any members of this group show up and tell how much they enjoyed being
publicly denigrated by being called galactically stupid.

Any on the Pinkneyville hit list show up to express their appreciation
for the repeated attacks on their yearly fly in by this pompous asshole.

Anybody else here want to add some of their personal recollections of
what Bill was really like.

What I remember most about Bill is the way he held himself in much higher
regard than all the second class citizens with less possessions than
himself. Back in the days when everyone here was more focused on which
participants here were actual pilots, and then actual aircraft owners, Bill
was very rude to those less fortunate than himself. He was vocal in his
opinion that anyone as smart or hard working as himself, could have, should
have, been just as successful as himself, and that someone else's lack of
success was a clear indication of laziness, ignorance or poor decision
making. He would never admit for one minute, how much luck had always
contributed to his success. Much less consider how many times bad luck was
the only think that separated him from his less fortunate peers.

Kind of ironic actually. Bills last flight might have been his very first
experience with real bad luck. I wonder if he would feel the same way today?

Maxwell wrote:
"cavelamb" wrote in message
m...
Barnyard BOb wrote:
Thank you for this opportunity, BERNIE.

With Bil's passing......
I may no longer have to worry about Bill and his lawyer(s) suing or
threatening to sue my ass into the poor house.

I wish all that revere Bill could experience my relief and euphoria.


- Barnyard BOb -

Not trying to start anything here BOb, but who will feel the same way
when you go?

Gee, I'm not trying to start anything either, but who will feel the same way
when you go Richard?



A few.

Maxwell wrote:

Kind of ironic actually. Bills last flight might have been his very first
experience with real bad luck. I wonder if he would feel the same way today?




Sonny always says, "In aviation, you can't make the same mistake - once".

Gee, I'm not trying to start anything either, but who will feel the
same way when you go Richard?


A few.



But I can't think of anybody I would feel that way about.

For instance, one of our Bobs has given me a whole sack full
of grief over the years, deserved,I'm sure, by his lights.

But even so, I don't dislike the guy.
Certainly not enough to go bad mouthing him or anything.
I'm not happy about his recent unfortunate news.
Life is hard enough as it is...