Alas, MrBill August 16, 2019 11:59 AM Subscribe
mrbill, a Houston MetaFilter member since 2002, has died. Many of you may remember in 2009 when his wife died suddenly and unexpectedly.
Bill was kind, friendly, and generous. If you see his posts here or on Facebook, you'll see a person who gave and gave, without thought to what he got in return. We will miss him and his contributions.
Dammit. He’d been through a lot. I’m going to miss him. I’m glad MeFi was able to be such a part of his life the last ten years.
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:01 PM on August 16, 2019 [16 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:01 PM on August 16, 2019 [16 favorites]
I'm so sorry to hear it. He was one of the Houston Mefites I always wanted to meet. I remember well when his wife died and the outpouring of support from the community.
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posted by librarylis at 12:12 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by librarylis at 12:12 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by ApathyGirl at 12:13 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by ApathyGirl at 12:13 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by ottereroticist at 12:15 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by ottereroticist at 12:15 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by Faint of Butt at 12:15 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by Faint of Butt at 12:15 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by BooneTheCowboyToy at 12:20 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by BooneTheCowboyToy at 12:20 PM on August 16, 2019
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I hope that wherever he is, he's with Amy again.
posted by Gray Duck at 12:25 PM on August 16, 2019 [35 favorites]
I hope that wherever he is, he's with Amy again.
posted by Gray Duck at 12:25 PM on August 16, 2019 [35 favorites]
So sorry to hear this.
posted by bookmammal at 12:28 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by bookmammal at 12:28 PM on August 16, 2019
Oh no, oh no, oh no. Damnit.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:36 PM on August 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:36 PM on August 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by The Great Big Mulp at 12:36 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 12:36 PM on August 16, 2019
I will really miss him on Twitter, where he was always helpful and always a good listener. Ugh. Thank you, MrBill.
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posted by fiercecupcake at 12:40 PM on August 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
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posted by fiercecupcake at 12:40 PM on August 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
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posted by mochapickle at 12:56 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by mochapickle at 12:56 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by nubs at 1:09 PM on August 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by nubs at 1:09 PM on August 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:09 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:09 PM on August 16, 2019
Goddammit! Poor guy.
posted by porn in the woods at 1:10 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by porn in the woods at 1:10 PM on August 16, 2019
Oh that’s so sad to hear. He was no age and had been through so much. Condolences to all who loved him.
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posted by billiebee at 1:13 PM on August 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
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posted by billiebee at 1:13 PM on August 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
I was in a meeting when I saw this, and almost had to walk out. I've been following his health battles for a while and... I don't know. For someone who suffered so much, he always seemed like such a good guy. Like, I don't know how he managed it with such grace. I couldn't.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:17 PM on August 16, 2019 [44 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:17 PM on August 16, 2019 [44 favorites]
Someone on Twitter said that Bill played life on hard mode -- and he did so with aplomb and generosity and a huge heart.
I know he's been sick for some time, but this makes me sad.
His Unix- and Sun-focused mailing lists were a welcoming and hugely useful resource when I was starting out as a sysadmin. He & my old colleague Miguel are the two biggest things that got me where I am today, and I think of them when we get someone new in the office.
Rest easy tonight, Bill; visit with Amy and catch her up (especially that car she never got to trick speeders with). Thanks for everything and I am sorry this life was harder than it needed to be.
posted by wenestvedt at 1:22 PM on August 16, 2019 [45 favorites]
I know he's been sick for some time, but this makes me sad.
His Unix- and Sun-focused mailing lists were a welcoming and hugely useful resource when I was starting out as a sysadmin. He & my old colleague Miguel are the two biggest things that got me where I am today, and I think of them when we get someone new in the office.
Rest easy tonight, Bill; visit with Amy and catch her up (especially that car she never got to trick speeders with). Thanks for everything and I am sorry this life was harder than it needed to be.
posted by wenestvedt at 1:22 PM on August 16, 2019 [45 favorites]
Goodness, it was almost ten years exactly since he lost Amy. And his mom a couple of years ago, too.
Ugh, life: be kinder please!
posted by wenestvedt at 1:25 PM on August 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
Ugh, life: be kinder please!
posted by wenestvedt at 1:25 PM on August 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
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posted by Sparky Buttons at 1:31 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by Sparky Buttons at 1:31 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by supermedusa at 1:36 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by supermedusa at 1:36 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:39 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:39 PM on August 16, 2019
God fucking damn it
posted by notsnot at 1:52 PM on August 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by notsnot at 1:52 PM on August 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by General Malaise at 1:58 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by General Malaise at 1:58 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 2:00 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 2:00 PM on August 16, 2019
I am so sorry that he's gone. But at least he's with his beloved now. RIP, mrbill.
posted by Lynsey at 2:00 PM on August 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Lynsey at 2:00 PM on August 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
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posted by a snickering nuthatch at 2:00 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 2:00 PM on August 16, 2019
He always struck me as indefatigably kind and helpful, I'm so sorry to see this.
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posted by invitapriore at 2:03 PM on August 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
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posted by invitapriore at 2:03 PM on August 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
A remarkably good and gentle person whose passing comes far too soon.
posted by boo_radley at 2:18 PM on August 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by boo_radley at 2:18 PM on August 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
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posted by pointystick at 2:21 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by pointystick at 2:21 PM on August 16, 2019
He seemed like such a kind, warmhearted person. I'm so sorry.
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posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:21 PM on August 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
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posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:21 PM on August 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
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posted by Secretariat at 2:26 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by Secretariat at 2:26 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by ChuraChura at 2:27 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by ChuraChura at 2:27 PM on August 16, 2019
It was his turn to reply to me and now he won't, and that makes me incredibly sad. Safe travels, Mr. Bill.
posted by 80 Cats in a Dog Suit at 2:31 PM on August 16, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by 80 Cats in a Dog Suit at 2:31 PM on August 16, 2019 [19 favorites]
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posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:33 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:33 PM on August 16, 2019
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I was really really really hoping we'd see more of him here.
posted by erratic meatsack at 2:43 PM on August 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
I was really really really hoping we'd see more of him here.
posted by erratic meatsack at 2:43 PM on August 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
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posted by lucy.jakobs at 2:51 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by lucy.jakobs at 2:51 PM on August 16, 2019
7/8 of his Metatalk posts were thanking this community (the other one was sharing a fun headline that made him think of this place). All Mefite passings hurt, but this one especially.
<3 mrbill. thank you for being open, generous, kind, and wonderful, and sharing so much of yourself with this corner of the internet. I'll miss you.
posted by Sparky Buttons at 2:51 PM on August 16, 2019 [24 favorites]
<3 mrbill. thank you for being open, generous, kind, and wonderful, and sharing so much of yourself with this corner of the internet. I'll miss you.
posted by Sparky Buttons at 2:51 PM on August 16, 2019 [24 favorites]
One of his friends said that as bad as his depression was, he probably couldn't imagine how many of us are missing him. If there's any justice in the next world, he knows now.
More than anything else he wanted to help people. Ask anyone who knew him and they'll say the same thing: he wanted to help and he did whatever he could to make his friends' lives easier.
I think he did this because he fought so hard inside his own head. That he didn't want any of us feeling the way he so often did. He wanted us to know we were important, we weren't burdens, and we deserved a magic nerdy fairy godfather who always was there if we needed him. If you'd known him for a week or a decade you got the same guy, just maybe with less dirty jokes at first.
Do something for someone. Because you can, because they need it, or because you do. That's who he was.
posted by cmyk at 2:53 PM on August 16, 2019 [47 favorites]
More than anything else he wanted to help people. Ask anyone who knew him and they'll say the same thing: he wanted to help and he did whatever he could to make his friends' lives easier.
I think he did this because he fought so hard inside his own head. That he didn't want any of us feeling the way he so often did. He wanted us to know we were important, we weren't burdens, and we deserved a magic nerdy fairy godfather who always was there if we needed him. If you'd known him for a week or a decade you got the same guy, just maybe with less dirty jokes at first.
Do something for someone. Because you can, because they need it, or because you do. That's who he was.
posted by cmyk at 2:53 PM on August 16, 2019 [47 favorites]
the photo of him at the wolfdaddy memorial meetup just broke my heart in many ways today. goodbye, mr bill. i am sorry that life seemed to hurt so much for you and grateful for your presence here.
posted by lazaruslong at 2:55 PM on August 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by lazaruslong at 2:55 PM on August 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
I wish it were possible for his suffering to have been taken away from him without him being taken away from us and vice versa, but that was not to be. I'm grateful that he touched so many lives, and grateful that he is no longer in such pain.
posted by drlith at 3:01 PM on August 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by drlith at 3:01 PM on August 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
( also: damnit, friendperson, you know I hate crying and here I am with my face doing the sad snot thing.)
posted by cmyk at 3:03 PM on August 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by cmyk at 3:03 PM on August 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
This is such sad news! The world is a darker place without his grace and generosity.
. from me, and . from my partner who knew mrbill from the unix/sun lists. He touched so many of us through his online presence, and will be enormously missed.
posted by Westringia F. at 3:23 PM on August 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
. from me, and . from my partner who knew mrbill from the unix/sun lists. He touched so many of us through his online presence, and will be enormously missed.
posted by Westringia F. at 3:23 PM on August 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
Oh no, mr.bill! :(
We were Facebook friends, but not close.
He was very supportive in my first few months of widowhood, 5 years ago. We could relate on that level, which really helped me. We're also the same age, IIRC.
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posted by luckynerd at 3:24 PM on August 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
We were Facebook friends, but not close.
He was very supportive in my first few months of widowhood, 5 years ago. We could relate on that level, which really helped me. We're also the same age, IIRC.
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posted by luckynerd at 3:24 PM on August 16, 2019 [6 favorites]
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posted by ferret branca at 3:29 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by ferret branca at 3:29 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by Frayed Knot at 3:45 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by Frayed Knot at 3:45 PM on August 16, 2019
Damn. I'll always remember his epic What the fuck Matt.
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posted by Mitheral at 3:45 PM on August 16, 2019 [18 favorites]
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posted by Mitheral at 3:45 PM on August 16, 2019 [18 favorites]
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posted by Joey Michaels at 3:57 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by Joey Michaels at 3:57 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by Secret Sparrow at 3:58 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by Secret Sparrow at 3:58 PM on August 16, 2019
A sad loss. His posts and comments here radiated kindness and hope. Godspeed.
posted by smoke at 4:04 PM on August 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by smoke at 4:04 PM on August 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
We tweeted back and forth a few times but I'm sorry I didn't get to know him better. Godspeed, mrbill.
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posted by bondcliff at 4:19 PM on August 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
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posted by bondcliff at 4:19 PM on August 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
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posted by skycrashesdown at 4:25 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by skycrashesdown at 4:25 PM on August 16, 2019
Oh no, what terrible news to end the week. I really enjoyed interacting with him here and I'll miss his presence. This is sad.
posted by Dip Flash at 4:29 PM on August 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Dip Flash at 4:29 PM on August 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by Doktor Zed at 4:38 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:38 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by jameaterblues at 4:46 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by jameaterblues at 4:46 PM on August 16, 2019
ohnooo
I really liked mrbill and he took me to task when I used the oh noooooo. I had a rough day mrbill, yours rougher and we are all reminded up, ya? and we shall remember.
"And here’s my friend, he helps me all the time – Mr. Hands!"
-Mr. Bill.
MeFi is more like old-school Usenet or BBSes; quality discussion is valued more than quantity or LOL OMG FUNNY PIC etc.
posted to MetaTalk by mrbill at 5:27 PM on December 12, 2007 [🖖]
posted by clavdivs at 4:48 PM on August 16, 2019 [14 favorites]
I really liked mrbill and he took me to task when I used the oh noooooo. I had a rough day mrbill, yours rougher and we are all reminded up, ya? and we shall remember.
"And here’s my friend, he helps me all the time – Mr. Hands!"
-Mr. Bill.
MeFi is more like old-school Usenet or BBSes; quality discussion is valued more than quantity or LOL OMG FUNNY PIC etc.
posted to MetaTalk by mrbill at 5:27 PM on December 12, 2007 [🖖]
posted by clavdivs at 4:48 PM on August 16, 2019 [14 favorites]
. Oh damn. This just sucks.
posted by octothorpe at 4:57 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by octothorpe at 4:57 PM on August 16, 2019
This is terrible news.
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:11 PM on August 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:11 PM on August 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
Wherever you are mrbill, I hope you're at peace.
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posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 5:37 PM on August 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
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posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 5:37 PM on August 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
I still get choked up whenever I think about mrbill and the way folks around here responded when his wife passed. Hopefully they've found each other again.
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posted by friendlyjuan at 5:41 PM on August 16, 2019 [7 favorites]
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posted by friendlyjuan at 5:41 PM on August 16, 2019 [7 favorites]
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posted by NoraCharles at 6:19 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by NoraCharles at 6:19 PM on August 16, 2019
Thanks for making this post, ColdChef. I have known Bill online for a long time, and I just couldn't.
One more thing: Bill did all sorts of stuff! He was a hard core nerd, and moderated his own online communities, but he was also a Mason, and spent a couple of years rebuilding a used car to be the spitting image of a Texas highway patrol car. (I was proud to have made him a keychain!)
He threw himself into things with his whole heart. Even when he got cancer, he went right for a bad one, in an advanced stage. Nothing by halves, that man!
Heading downstairs to grab a beer from the workbench in his honor.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:48 PM on August 16, 2019 [42 favorites]
One more thing: Bill did all sorts of stuff! He was a hard core nerd, and moderated his own online communities, but he was also a Mason, and spent a couple of years rebuilding a used car to be the spitting image of a Texas highway patrol car. (I was proud to have made him a keychain!)
He threw himself into things with his whole heart. Even when he got cancer, he went right for a bad one, in an advanced stage. Nothing by halves, that man!
Heading downstairs to grab a beer from the workbench in his honor.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:48 PM on August 16, 2019 [42 favorites]
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posted by Alterscape at 6:54 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by Alterscape at 6:54 PM on August 16, 2019
I’m so sorry to hear this. He was a sweetheart, and we are worse without him.
posted by ocherdraco at 7:01 PM on August 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by ocherdraco at 7:01 PM on August 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
I read his post 2 months ago to the day about his wife's death anniversary and cried but felt connected to everyone here. I feel the same now. I wish I had gotten to know him better, thank you mrbill for meaning so much to so many people here.
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posted by OnTheLastCastle at 7:59 PM on August 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
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posted by OnTheLastCastle at 7:59 PM on August 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
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posted by MCMikeNamara at 8:22 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by MCMikeNamara at 8:22 PM on August 16, 2019
Oh, he was so kind. I'm glad our paths crossed. The world is worse without him.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 9:03 PM on August 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 9:03 PM on August 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
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posted by sallybrown at 9:03 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by sallybrown at 9:03 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by RolandOfEld at 10:17 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by RolandOfEld at 10:17 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 11:08 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 11:08 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by Going To Maine at 11:15 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by Going To Maine at 11:15 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by misteraitch at 11:23 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by misteraitch at 11:23 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:43 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:43 PM on August 16, 2019
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posted by equalpants at 11:48 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by equalpants at 11:48 PM on August 16, 2019
Sad news. Ever since I started following his updates i was hoping for a better outcome for him. He was a good guy and I am sorry to hear of his passing.
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posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:56 PM on August 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:56 PM on August 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by StrikeTheViol at 11:58 PM on August 16, 2019
posted by StrikeTheViol at 11:58 PM on August 16, 2019
So live, that when thy summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan, that moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
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posted by faineant at 12:09 AM on August 17, 2019 [13 favorites]
The innumerable caravan, that moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
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posted by faineant at 12:09 AM on August 17, 2019 [13 favorites]
He was such a sweet, lovely man, and life is fucking unfair. Cancer doubly so.
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posted by tzikeh at 12:21 AM on August 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by tzikeh at 12:21 AM on August 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
I was yet another beneficiary of Bill’s generosity- he offered to fix an iPod I had carelessly smashed for the cost of parts, and he turned it around faster than any vendor would have. He put so much good out into the world and will be sorely missed.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:25 AM on August 17, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:25 AM on August 17, 2019 [7 favorites]
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posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 1:46 AM on August 17, 2019
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 1:46 AM on August 17, 2019
He was a good guy...
posted by HuronBob at 4:13 AM on August 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by HuronBob at 4:13 AM on August 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
Damn. Always liked him. Didn't know about his Cancer and sorry to see his crowdfunding didn't reach its goal. :(
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posted by dobbs at 4:25 AM on August 17, 2019
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posted by dobbs at 4:25 AM on August 17, 2019
The word that comes to mind over and over when I think of Bill is courageous. He was scared and/or depressed a very good portion of the time, and so committed to being a part of a tribe or helping or connecting that he just kept going and Did The Thing he was scared to do. And he was totally willing to say he was scared or depressed. He was a mensch, and smarter than hell, and far, far braver than a lot of people who think they're pretty badass but just do things to look good. He let his love and desire to connect run the show. I can't think of a braver thing to do, these days.
posted by pomegranate at 4:44 AM on August 17, 2019 [37 favorites]
posted by pomegranate at 4:44 AM on August 17, 2019 [37 favorites]
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posted by Stewriffic at 4:48 AM on August 17, 2019
posted by Stewriffic at 4:48 AM on August 17, 2019
I didn't interact with Bill a lot directly, but he was just such a good, sweet guy and I will miss his dependably gentle presence in our lives.
posted by usonian at 5:04 AM on August 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by usonian at 5:04 AM on August 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
Ah shit. He was a such a good member of this community. We'll miss you.
posted by penduluum at 5:42 AM on August 17, 2019
posted by penduluum at 5:42 AM on August 17, 2019
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posted by ourobouros at 7:02 AM on August 17, 2019
posted by ourobouros at 7:02 AM on August 17, 2019
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posted by dinty_moore at 7:51 AM on August 17, 2019
posted by dinty_moore at 7:51 AM on August 17, 2019
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posted by Recliner of Rage at 7:53 AM on August 17, 2019
posted by Recliner of Rage at 7:53 AM on August 17, 2019
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posted by Blue Jello Elf at 8:06 AM on August 17, 2019
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 8:06 AM on August 17, 2019
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posted by contrariwise at 9:51 AM on August 17, 2019
posted by contrariwise at 9:51 AM on August 17, 2019
One of his friends said that as bad as his depression was, he probably couldn't imagine how many of us are missing him. If there's any justice in the next world, he knows now.
I know this was so hard for him and I always admired his strength and willingness to say "I'm scared" or "I'm sad" or explain how he was feeling. I tried to stay in good touch with him because I know how it can be, sometimes to have the "No one cares" mopes. For me it was usually fleeting, for him it was his default and it must have been hard.
We emailed a lot. He sent me one of Amy's bags after she died and he was giving them away. He was always getting rid of stuff for suuuuper cheap on facebook and I have a laptop and two of my best bags thanks to him. I would drop him notes about how I still liked them, still used them, was thinking of him whenever I traveled.
I learned a lot from him from how to go camping with a CPAP, to a lot of Masonic stuff, to just how he felt about friendship and his place in the world. I felt lucky to get to listen to what he had to say. He was always kind, gracious, generous and seemed surprised that people had nice things to say about him all the time. I loved to see him happy. I tried to hold space for him when he was sad. I know he'd been through a lot lately, and it's rare that I think/say "Well now he's at peace" but I think he deserves some peace. I will miss him.
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 10:16 AM on August 17, 2019 [49 favorites]
I know this was so hard for him and I always admired his strength and willingness to say "I'm scared" or "I'm sad" or explain how he was feeling. I tried to stay in good touch with him because I know how it can be, sometimes to have the "No one cares" mopes. For me it was usually fleeting, for him it was his default and it must have been hard.
We emailed a lot. He sent me one of Amy's bags after she died and he was giving them away. He was always getting rid of stuff for suuuuper cheap on facebook and I have a laptop and two of my best bags thanks to him. I would drop him notes about how I still liked them, still used them, was thinking of him whenever I traveled.
I learned a lot from him from how to go camping with a CPAP, to a lot of Masonic stuff, to just how he felt about friendship and his place in the world. I felt lucky to get to listen to what he had to say. He was always kind, gracious, generous and seemed surprised that people had nice things to say about him all the time. I loved to see him happy. I tried to hold space for him when he was sad. I know he'd been through a lot lately, and it's rare that I think/say "Well now he's at peace" but I think he deserves some peace. I will miss him.
posted by jessamyn (retired) at 10:16 AM on August 17, 2019 [49 favorites]
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posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 10:31 AM on August 17, 2019
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 10:31 AM on August 17, 2019
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posted by cooker girl at 10:35 AM on August 17, 2019
posted by cooker girl at 10:35 AM on August 17, 2019
So young, so sad.
posted by obfuscation at 10:43 AM on August 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by obfuscation at 10:43 AM on August 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by theappleonatree at 10:44 AM on August 17, 2019
posted by theappleonatree at 10:44 AM on August 17, 2019
I too have one of Amy’s bags, and he was always so helpful when I was trying to figure out which technology I needed. I’ve been crying off and in since I heard the news. He was such a force for the light, even the darkness weeps for his passing.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 12:14 PM on August 17, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 12:14 PM on August 17, 2019 [10 favorites]
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I’ll miss him. I hope to have a tenth of his courage.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:56 PM on August 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
I’ll miss him. I hope to have a tenth of his courage.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:56 PM on August 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
Oh no. Just a week ago I was reading some of his past posts. I didn't know him IRL but we exchanged a couple of memails at Christmas just gone and I'm really glad I had the chance to tell him then how much I appreciated seeing him on MeFi.
Rest in peace mrbill, you'll always be a part of this place and we'll remember you and miss you.
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posted by penguin pie at 2:08 PM on August 17, 2019 [2 favorites]
Rest in peace mrbill, you'll always be a part of this place and we'll remember you and miss you.
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posted by penguin pie at 2:08 PM on August 17, 2019 [2 favorites]
Crushing news to hear. I knew he'd been fighting cancer and thought he was on the mend. Shit, I'll miss him greatly.
posted by mathowie (retired) at 2:40 PM on August 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by mathowie (retired) at 2:40 PM on August 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
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posted by a humble nudibranch at 3:23 PM on August 17, 2019
posted by a humble nudibranch at 3:23 PM on August 17, 2019
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posted by Halo in reverse at 3:32 PM on August 17, 2019
posted by Halo in reverse at 3:32 PM on August 17, 2019
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posted by Salamandrous at 4:23 PM on August 17, 2019
posted by Salamandrous at 4:23 PM on August 17, 2019
Damn. At a loss for words. We never met in person, but I considered him a friend. I think anyone would have considered him a friend. Really gonna miss him.
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:02 PM on August 17, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:02 PM on August 17, 2019 [2 favorites]
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posted by Joe in Australia at 5:08 PM on August 17, 2019
posted by Joe in Australia at 5:08 PM on August 17, 2019
I am sorry to hear this -- we never crossed paths IRL, being on more or less opposite ends of the continent, but he always came across as a great fellow. Both the site and the world are the poorer for his going.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:13 PM on August 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:13 PM on August 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
aw man, fuck death
posted by klangklangston at 6:46 PM on August 17, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by klangklangston at 6:46 PM on August 17, 2019 [6 favorites]
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posted by Serene Empress Dork at 9:49 PM on August 17, 2019
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 9:49 PM on August 17, 2019
Oh, man. I remember him well.
So sorry to hear this news.
posted by SLC Mom at 11:05 PM on August 17, 2019
So sorry to hear this news.
posted by SLC Mom at 11:05 PM on August 17, 2019
I’m so sad to hear this. His presence here was such a big part of why I felt like Metafilter was a community I wanted to be in, and I know he made many others feel this way.
Holding space for everyone who knew him personally and is hurting. I’m so sorry.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 11:35 PM on August 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
Holding space for everyone who knew him personally and is hurting. I’m so sorry.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 11:35 PM on August 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
I only exchanged a couple of messages here with him, but he was so pleasant and gracious. I had messaged him once when things were sounding tough to see if I could help, and his response was to point to all the people who might be more in need of help. I wish I had known him better.
posted by Dip Flash at 11:36 PM on August 17, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by Dip Flash at 11:36 PM on August 17, 2019 [5 favorites]
May his memory be a blessing to all of us.
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posted by Sophie1 at 5:24 AM on August 18, 2019 [6 favorites]
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posted by Sophie1 at 5:24 AM on August 18, 2019 [6 favorites]
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posted by RandomInconsistencies at 11:05 AM on August 18, 2019
posted by RandomInconsistencies at 11:05 AM on August 18, 2019
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posted by Nat "King" Cole Porter Wagoner at 1:23 PM on August 18, 2019
posted by Nat "King" Cole Porter Wagoner at 1:23 PM on August 18, 2019
I never got to meet him in person, but will deeply miss his presence here and in the world. Smart and kind was his mode, and I respect that so much.
Wishing peace to the hearts of those closer to him. It's a major loss.
posted by vers at 2:21 PM on August 18, 2019 [2 favorites]
Wishing peace to the hearts of those closer to him. It's a major loss.
posted by vers at 2:21 PM on August 18, 2019 [2 favorites]
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posted by mixedmetaphors at 2:51 PM on August 18, 2019
posted by mixedmetaphors at 2:51 PM on August 18, 2019
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We chatted on Twitter a little, and I sent him some cards, but I am sad I never got to meet him.
I loved hearing about his car, and we even chatted fountain pens a little.
posted by needlegrrl at 6:27 PM on August 18, 2019 [2 favorites]
We chatted on Twitter a little, and I sent him some cards, but I am sad I never got to meet him.
I loved hearing about his car, and we even chatted fountain pens a little.
posted by needlegrrl at 6:27 PM on August 18, 2019 [2 favorites]
So sorry to hear of his passing. We chatted now and again in the mid-'90s, on IRC, about SunOS and other fun Unix things. I wish him the mintiest Sun Type 5 keyboard up there.
posted by Jubal Kessler at 6:44 PM on August 18, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Jubal Kessler at 6:44 PM on August 18, 2019 [1 favorite]
Planning for a remembrance here in Houston, for anyone interested in attending.
posted by Runes at 8:08 PM on August 18, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by Runes at 8:08 PM on August 18, 2019 [6 favorites]
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A very kind, sweet man. Ave atque vale, Mr. Bill.
posted by Gridlock Joe at 8:33 PM on August 18, 2019
A very kind, sweet man. Ave atque vale, Mr. Bill.
posted by Gridlock Joe at 8:33 PM on August 18, 2019
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posted by tealcoffeecup at 8:44 PM on August 18, 2019
posted by tealcoffeecup at 8:44 PM on August 18, 2019
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posted by WidgetAlley at 9:38 PM on August 18, 2019
posted by WidgetAlley at 9:38 PM on August 18, 2019
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posted by From Bklyn at 12:39 AM on August 19, 2019
posted by From Bklyn at 12:39 AM on August 19, 2019
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posted by Gratishades at 3:37 AM on August 19, 2019
posted by Gratishades at 3:37 AM on August 19, 2019
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posted by bibliogrrl at 12:06 PM on August 19, 2019
posted by bibliogrrl at 12:06 PM on August 19, 2019
Goddamnit. mrbill and I had a little correspondence thing going on, first by email and later by text. The last time I heard from him was on July 1. A couple of weeks later I texted him several times and did not hear back. Tried again in early August. Shit.
The thing is, he had to work despite his cancer. If he needed time off for treatment then he had to make it up later. On June 29 Bill was dealing with a massive DDOS at work and later taking photos at the Masonic Lodge officer installation. On July 1 he sent me the URL after he got the pics up. Now I’m crying. He said things would be OK because he had made it through chemo the week before. And he told me to take care. Me.
I’ve been so worried about him. I expected this to happen. It still makes me sad. As much as anything, it also makes me angry. He was so ill, too ill to be working but the whole time he insisted that it was going to be OK. Which was the right attitude to have because he really didn’t have a choice. He needed that job. I will never forgive the country (or his employer) for not allowing Bill to be sick in peace.
I don’t think I was much help to Bill but he certainly modeled grace for me. He was super kind, and nonjudgmental as hell. My dude, I am going to miss you, and I won’t be the only one.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:41 PM on August 19, 2019 [30 favorites]
The thing is, he had to work despite his cancer. If he needed time off for treatment then he had to make it up later. On June 29 Bill was dealing with a massive DDOS at work and later taking photos at the Masonic Lodge officer installation. On July 1 he sent me the URL after he got the pics up. Now I’m crying. He said things would be OK because he had made it through chemo the week before. And he told me to take care. Me.
I’ve been so worried about him. I expected this to happen. It still makes me sad. As much as anything, it also makes me angry. He was so ill, too ill to be working but the whole time he insisted that it was going to be OK. Which was the right attitude to have because he really didn’t have a choice. He needed that job. I will never forgive the country (or his employer) for not allowing Bill to be sick in peace.
I don’t think I was much help to Bill but he certainly modeled grace for me. He was super kind, and nonjudgmental as hell. My dude, I am going to miss you, and I won’t be the only one.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:41 PM on August 19, 2019 [30 favorites]
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Peace to him. Such sad news. He was one of the good guys.
posted by St. Hubbins at 7:42 PM on August 19, 2019 [1 favorite]
Peace to him. Such sad news. He was one of the good guys.
posted by St. Hubbins at 7:42 PM on August 19, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by TheophileEscargot at 8:42 PM on August 19, 2019
posted by TheophileEscargot at 8:42 PM on August 19, 2019
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posted by EvaDestruction at 9:24 AM on August 20, 2019
posted by EvaDestruction at 9:24 AM on August 20, 2019
aw geez. I will miss his presence.
posted by biggreenplant at 3:46 PM on August 20, 2019
posted by biggreenplant at 3:46 PM on August 20, 2019
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posted by Countess Elena at 8:55 AM on August 22, 2019
posted by Countess Elena at 8:55 AM on August 22, 2019
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posted by Anita Bath at 12:15 PM on August 23, 2019
posted by Anita Bath at 12:15 PM on August 23, 2019
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posted by she's not there at 4:49 PM on August 23, 2019
posted by she's not there at 4:49 PM on August 23, 2019
Awful news! He was a really good guy!
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posted by Katjusa Roquette at 4:18 PM on August 24, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by Katjusa Roquette at 4:18 PM on August 24, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by pianoblack at 1:42 PM on August 25, 2019
posted by pianoblack at 1:42 PM on August 25, 2019
Oh no. I was just reading his annual updates on his state of Mr. Bill around Amy's anniversary. I'll miss his voice. Any time I saw his name it was a great flashback to the Community that is MeFi
posted by TravellingCari at 3:30 PM on August 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by TravellingCari at 3:30 PM on August 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by sarcasticah at 12:00 PM on August 16, 2019 [2 favorites]