Very sad news. :-[
I just got a PM from Bill. It said, in part: "I won't be able to moderate the projects any longer. My cancer has advanced and I'm unable to do so. It's been wonderful knowing you and the guys. Please let folks know I won't be around and won't be posting any longer."
In early March he mentioned in passing that his cancer wasn't curable but that he would fight as long as there were avenues to do so. I don't think many of us caught that; I did but hoped he would be around a lot longer.
We've known each other online since the old FDP days, before the Pit existed. He's always been knowledgeable, gracious and good humored.
Blessings on you, Bill. You will be sorely missed.
Bill is one hell of a nice guy, I really have enjoyed the times we got to hang out together and share our passion of bass guitars and tinkering. I first became aware of Bill on ebay, he was selling crazy Gibson stuff that really interested me. Turned out he was in the next town over maybe 15 minutes away. We struck up a friendship and would often meet for lunch, stop by each others shops to see what each other were up to or meet up at The House of Guitars to check out new Gibsons. I have often said one of the best things about the Internet is meeting Bill. I raise my glass to my friend.
So sorry to hear this. I've always enjoyed his posts and projects here and on The ReRanch site.
He will be missed.
Bill is a first class gentleman and a man to be honored and respected. I'm terribly sorry to hear that his cancer has advanced so far.
Friends, how can we send Bill expressions of our caring and esteem?? Dave??
I'm close by I will do whatever I can if that helps.
Al, you could try sending him a PM but I have no idea if he'll even be checking in any longer. OTOH if he's still checking his email, he'll see what the message says.
Scott, any ideas?
It breaks my heart to see this... I was privileged to trade (buying and selling) more than once with Bill, and between that and our interactions here and at the Dudepit, I came to appreciate his knowledge and demeanor. Bill, if you happen to drop in again, please know that I feel enriched to have known you, even if only online. My prayers go out for you and your family and I wish you peace on your journey.
Very sad.
Ideas? I am at a loss, I was hoping you guys might.
This makes me really sad, just breaks my heart.
Yeah me too.
I am so sorry to hear this. Bill is one of those people that I have never met but feel as if I "know" him from all of the years between the Dude Pit and here. He seems like a kind, generous, and caring person and he has been a great contributor here. I had hoped he was winning the battle with cancer and am greatly saddened to hear he is not. Cheers to you Bill! We are all better for having "known" you.
Bill is the reason I came here - his gracious invitation was all it took. I'll certainly send him a PM.
^Ditto to everything Andy said.
Bill is one of the good guys, and I'm gutted to read this. His projects and skills have always been a huge inspiration.
My thoughts and prayers are with him and family.
I am shocked and very sad.
I've always enjoyed his posts.
Still hoping for a miracle...
Safe and gentle journey, Bill. I'll always think of you when I'll play those two basses you sold me. You gave a good fight.
Do send us a postcard!
sad news, indeed.
Always a gentleman with a kind word. I'll miss you, Bill.
Prayers sent.
This is very, very sad news. Bill always added something positive to the proceedings here. I can only hope to take a cue from his positive attitude and apply it to my own life. I hope he enjoys every minute he has left here on Earth.
Very sad.... Very difficult to find the right words. He is just one of the key figures here. I can only hope he has a good time with friends and family before he leaves.
Gracious... a true Gent...
Not gone... not forgotten... time for a large dram on Friday when I'm off shift...
PM'd
His work was among my earliest inspirations as a builder.
I'm very sad to hear this news...:(
Peace to you and your family Bill
Sorry to hear we'll be missing his presence on this forum. I always appreciated his positive spirit, knowledge and the cool builds he shared with us. I'm glad we all helped bring a bit of joy for him in his time here as well.
Well, cr*p!! Why is it the really nice guys who get dealt the worst hand? Truly sad news. Gentle journeys Bill.
I don't know how I missed this thread over the past few days. I did notice in his most recent posts that his prognosis had changed and I was hoping (and still am) that he could pull this one out of the fire. I will miss Doc's humor, his wealth of knowledge and most of all the way he played the hand he was dealt.
If it isn't too presumptuous of me, I would like to propose that we rename the "Projects and Mods" forum in his honor, "in perpetuity", as Dennis Miller would say.
Dr Bill's Phantasmagorical Emporium... :mrgreen:
Anyway, it's Friday and I said I had a new bottle, Bill... 100 proof, in your honour...
(http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/kjrstewart/random%20stuff/2016%200617%20for%20Bill_zpspu4qczv3.jpg)
I just noticed this post also.......... Blew me away. Doc has always been a big part of the LBO. More prayers coming from Minnesota..........
Quote from: lowend1 on June 16, 2016, 09:15:46 PM
I don't know how I missed this thread over the past few days. I did notice in his most recent posts that his prognosis had changed and I was hoping (and still am) that he could pull this one out of the fire. I will miss Doc's humor, his wealth of knowledge and most of all the way he played the hand he was dealt.
If it isn't too presumptuous of me, I would like to propose that we rename the "Projects and Mods" forum in his honor, "in perpetuity", as Dennis Miller would say.
Agreed. "Doc's Place" or "Doc's Shop" perhaps
Quote from: Lightyear on June 17, 2016, 07:07:09 PM
Agreed. "Doc's Place" or "Doc's Shop" perhaps
How about Dr. Bill's Shop?
We'll take your ideas under advisement at an appropriate time. :sad:
I'm so sorry to hear this. Goodbye Doc, and thank you for all you've done for this group, not least of all for your beautiful basses. Those instruments will be played and loved for a long time.
Dear friends, I just talked to Bill's wife Barb. Bill passed away peacefully last Sunday, Father's day, fitting . It's not often late in life you make a true friend, that Bill was and I will miss him greatly.
I'm so sorry to read this. Bill was a super nice guy who always had a kind word. I'll miss him truly. Thank you for your part in making this such a fun and informative place, Bill. You'll be sorely missed.
Rest in peace, Bill. :sad:
Amen. Rest in peace.
Rest easy Bill.
Godspeed, Doc.😢
Rest well, Bill. You will be missed by more than you know.
Very sad news.Bill was a nice guy and a gentleman to deal with.
I'm so sorry.
Rest in peace, Bill.
Rest in Peace Bill.
We'll miss you.
How sad. I am glad to hear he passed peacefully. Rest well Bill, and know you were appreciated here.
Goodbye Bill.
We are going to miss you.
Thank you for your contributions to this wonderful place.
rip... truly sad day...
Rest in peace, Bill. You will be missed. I hope his family will get the message he made a lot of friends here who respected him and loved him.
I will make sure that Bill's family knows how truly he was loved by his friends from the LBO.
R.I.P. Bill. Won't be the same around here without you.
This comes as a shock so soon. May he rest in peace.
So tragic and sad. It's hard to put into words.
RIP Bill. Sad...
Saw Scott's FB post and came here to pay my respects. Loved Bill, traded some Gibson parts with him on occasion, he built a beautiful bass with some chrome pickups I sold him once.
RIP
Bill's obituary notice (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/democratandchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=william-walence&pid=180425421) :sad:
I'm sure there is a work bench waiting for him where he's headed.
RIP Bill. You will truly be missed here. :sad:
Thanks for your contribution, Bill! R.I.P.
Thanks for making this place even more interesting Bill. RIP
R.I.P. :sad:
I will be going to Bill's calling hours tonight I will be sure to convey the forums condolences.
RIP Doc.............. :toast:
This is the earliest thread I could find over at Reranch where Bill evangelized the NRFB:
http://reranch.com/reranch/viewtopic.php?t=43737&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=reverse&start=0
Bill traced his bass and forwarded the drawing along to another forum member.
Also, his BillyBo thread over there:
http://reranch.com/reranch/viewtopic.php?t=34910&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
He was a kind and generous person, and will be missed.
Thank you for posting his obituary, Dave. It was nice to be able to leave some thoughts there that, hopefully, his family will see.
Bill, was loved and loved by many. Calling hours started at 4 PM, I got there on the dot. The parking lot was full a the line was out the door. Family friends, musician friends, professional friends. Bill was loved, I am a bit in awe but not surprised . If anyone wants to send condolences I will make sure the family gets them. I am going to print out the forums responses and give them to the family. Tough day, the family let me put one of my picks under the strings of his bass. Happy I was there for all of us.
RIP Bill
Quote from: godofthunder on June 24, 2016, 12:20:56 PM
I will be going to Bill's calling hours tonight I will be sure to convey the forums condolences.
Quote from: godofthunder on June 24, 2016, 07:44:01 PM
Bill, was loved and loved by many. Calling hours started at 4 PM, I got there on the dot. The parking lot was full a the line was out the door. Family friends, musician friends, professional friends. Bill was loved, I am a bit in awe but not surprised . If anyone wants to send condolences I will make sure the family gets them. I am going to print out the forums responses and give them to the family. Tough day, the family let me put one of my picks under the strings of his bass. Happy I was there for all of us.
Thanks so much, Scott. I hope Barb and family will understand how important his contributions here have been.
That Billybo thread is amazing. I'm glad he got back to that project even if he didn't have much time to savor the results.
I hope whoever ends up with that bass appreciates how much love went into it.
RIP, Doc.
So sad.
Bon voyage to a good man.
Too sad and way too damn young. RIP Doc.
RIP Bill
Bill's last activity here was 10:07 AM on June 14, so hopefully he got to see the first 16 posts in this thread.
so sad, as a newbie here he was so encouraging with my first build
RIP Bill, you will be missed
Rest in peace Bill.
I haven't been around here much lately and I'm sorry I'm so slow to respond. I've been dealing with a few other losses that hit pretty close to home. Sorry Bill, you will be missed around here.RIP.
Rick
rip