I met Bill in San Diego... circumstances are unimportant.  He was one of the best friends I'ver ever had.  Stood beside me at my wedding ceremony.  After I transferred from San Diego, we'd chat in e-mail once in awhile... sometimes a long while, other times several in a day.  Later, he gave great support after the death of James. 

    In early November 2006, he came to Ohio to visit family, and I was going to head north to visit with him, consume vast quantities of coffee, etc... but hadn't heard from him when to show up (got directions, though).  Bill was feeling poorly, and having talked with him on the phone, we decided to wait and see if he felt like company.

    On 18 November 2006, I got an e-mail:  "you will never guess what happen to me...i ended up in the hospital back in ohio. they life fighted me back to san diego on tuesday. i'll try to tell you more later when i can??? right now having tough time recovering."  That was the last communication I had from Bill. 

    Sadly, due to complications of his medical condition, Bill died.  Fortunately, he died peacefully, in his sleep. However, though his folks knew of me, and that I was in Ohio, they didn't have my contact information to let me know this - I didn't find out about Bill's death until the first week of March, 2007.  Though we'd gone months at a time over the years without talking/e-mailing, I feel quite rotten at not following up sooner.

    Ecclesiastes - Chapter 3, verse 2 says "A time to be born, and a time to die..."

    Bill knew how to live, in spite of his failing body.... and from what I gather from his father, he faced his death with courage, knowing it was going to happen whether he wanted it to or not.  He knew life was for living... and enjoyed life so long as he could.

    I miss Bill greatly.  May he rest in peace.