Bill H., known to this forum as the "kilgorekid" (Proud Collings owner: Collings OM2HSB) passed away Saturday @ around 3am.

Bill had been ill for about 8 months, but had not shared with many of his friends or family the extent of his illness, so it's been a shock to us. He was with his wife of 36 years and son when he went.

Bill was a great man, guitarist and friend. He had played all his life and was a guitar hero to a lot of us here. We had a once a month guitar circle and Bill was always helping us learn new things and have fun in his quite, joyful way.

My favorite quote from Bill when I would lust after some high-end guitar was; "remember, it's not the arrow it's the Indian". His way of telling me that I could buy all the gear I wanted but if I didn't practice and have passion, it didn't matter.

We spoke often (mostly about guitars). My family had known Bill, Diane, Jeff and Lisa for 15 years and consider them family. We will miss Bill a lot.

Springsteen said it well:

Well they built the Titanic to be one of a kind, but many ships have ruled the seas.
They built the Eiffel Tower to stand alone, but they could build another if they please.
Taj Mahal, the pyramids of Egypt, are unique I suppose.
But when they built you, brother, they broke the mold.

Now the world is filled with many wonders under the passing sun.
And sometimes something comes along and you know it's for sure the only one.
The Mona Lisa, the David, the Sistine Chapel, Jesus, Mary, and Joe.
And when they built you, brother, they broke the mold.

When they built you, brother, they turned dust into gold.
When they built you, brother, they broke the mold.

They say you can't take it with you, but I think that they're wrong.
'Cause all I know is I woke up this morning, and something big was gone.
Gone into that dark ether where you're still young and hard and cold.
Just like when they built you, brother, they broke the mold."

This message has been edited. Last edited by: teleguy,

I first met him on the Larrivee forum where we were both the proud owners of Collings OM's.

Bill was a forum friend that will be missed. The bond for music and the guitar/mandolin make friendships here special.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: El Jefe,

Play on, brother. Dan

I'm sorry to hear the news. His contributions to this forum and life in general will be missed.

Long time coming, long time gone. This mortality thing seems to be all too legitimate. Ever more often, when I glance at the obits in the morning paper, too many good people make that page who are younger than I. Will said it best, as he so often has: if music be the food of love, play on.

I recognized his name immediately even though he didn't post too often. He's been a great member of the forum and he'll be sadly missed.

While using the search function to remind myself of why he's so familiar, I found this quote from Bill from last year. What a wise and great guy he must have been, as this quote proves:

"I'm 60 and have been playing since age 13. It has been a source of enjoyment and comfort to me all my life. As far as your age goes, who cares? Age is not so much a factor as is your desire to learn to play and get better. If you have the flame within, you will surprise yourself at how quickly you improve. We could all find some 15-year old whose playing would overshadow our own. That makes no difference. Unless you're going to give up your CFO status and start performing for a living, don't worry about your ability compared to someone else. Hey! You've got a 401-K and insurance-Things a lot of musicians dream about!

Take it a day at a time and pretend you're in your teens all over again. It's all about enjoying your own music at your own pace. In your "teen regression", please remember to observe your curfew and clean up your room!
Good luck,
Bill "

Great post Elambo!

Yeah and that "mortality thing"...nothing more real than that brother.

Peace,

dave

Van,
Thanks for posting, although this isn't the kind of news I like to hear it's good to be able pay proper respect to one of our fallen brothers. Tonight as the sun sets on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, I'll stand at the shoreline and raise my glass to toast the "kilgore kid".

Guys,

I want to thank everyone for their kind words for Bill. I will be printing these off and sharing them with friends and family this evening at Bills visitation.

http://www.legacy.com/dallasmorningnews/Obituaries.asp?...y&PersonId=114339193

I am sad to hear it. I wish him well.

Death is inevitable, the great equalizer. But indifference is not inevitable, and, to the extent we honor and remember our friends, a part of their spirit lives with us. Grieve. Raise a toast. Play a New Orleans down and dirty dirge (St. James Infirmary comes to mind). Cry. Laugh. And most, remember, and keep remembering. tom

Having lost my wife to cancer several years ago, I know that words are inadequate.....but memories will always be there!

Sonoman, I was just playing St. James Infirmary on a newly aquired OM1A cutaway.

Howard