When I think of Bill many great stories and memories come to mind, but the one that seems to stick out the most is a story from one of my early deer camps in Northern Wisconsin.

Anyone who knows Bill is that he loves holidays! But his favorite of all is April 1st, APRIL FOOLS DAY. When we were kids, we were alawys thrown off by one of his innocuos antics.

This is a trait I seem to have inherited. I start thinking about 4/1 around 1/1. What can I pull off. Of course, the unspoken rule is that can never be physcally or emotionally harmful to the "victim".

My favorite of course that I pulled on Bill and knew that I was of his calibre was in '80 or '81.

Of the many memorable occassions we have shared with Bill and Fran a highlight would have to have been when as newlyweds they joined us in Fremantle, Western Australia to get a taste of the America's Cup race and then onto Adelaide, Melbourne and Tasmania. When in Melbourne on our way back to the Hilton late one evening we came across a fire scene with numerous pumpers all fitted with Darley pumps.

I have had many great memories with you, and keep gaining new ones every time I’m you. A lot of these memories were around a fishing pole, and the one that has stuck out the most is the one from our deep sea fishing trip in Florida. I caught the 6 foot shark with you that day, and I think of that day every time I fish. I look forward to many more memories with you.
Love Will

My best memory of Grandpa is when my friend David and I went fishing at black point with him. I almost caught a monster but it got away and later caught by David. When we got back to shore grandpa showed us how to clean a fish. It was cool and disgusting at the same time. ~kevin darley

Grandpa I remember during a trip in grade school to a Purdue Football game, me and a friend were talking about having to miss class. You told me “don’t let school always get in the way of your education.” This has really been a great lesson for me. There is so much more out there then can be taught in class. You have been all around the World and have experienced so much, I too have developed a love to travel and see what is out there. I remember how excited you were when I was telling you about my experience in Costa Rica for an ecology class.

I remember whne Coco got her hand stiuck in the door and I helped her adn the next day you came by with some metals and gave them to me. One of them was for courage. I love you and gramms.

Gabe

(P.S. You are lucky Gramms married you. )(

People often dislike their in-laws. I love mine. When Annie and I spoke with other Jewish / Catholic couples, the biggest complaint was that their parents weren’t accepting.

Bill, your ability to be so accepting is truly a marvel. Not only do I see it personally, I see it in the way you relate with you children, with Fran, your friends, and strangers.

Your humble approach and authenticity immediately put people at ease. I don’t say it enough, but thank you for being such a wonderful friend, father in-law, and grandfather.

You're many things to me.

I've always felt blessed. It's just another one of the effects that you have on the people that surround you.

I guess I've been especially lucky as we have both shared a passion with fishing. Not just fishing but fishing together. I have such great memories from taking a note into my third grade teacher explaining that I would be gone on an educational field trip - you said "School isn't going to get in the way of your education." to the awesome time we spent together drift fishing in the Bahamas and fly fishing in Montana.