ForeverMissed
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His Life

New Zealand 2005

July 27, 2014

From my original letter to Eldon and Jean during our New Zealand trip:
"November 21, 2005 - at 4:15p we caught our bus (one of four) for the Tamaki Maori Hangi (dinner, culture and concert.)  On the bus ride to the Marae, the driver decides who will be the Chief representing our "tribe" (bus.)  He selects Bill from over 20 other men.  The visiting "tribe" (our bus) must have a chief to accept the peace offering from the hosting tribe.  Representation of those on the bus is considered a honorable task in Maoridom.  With the other four visiting chiefs, Bill performs the hongi (pressing of the noses) with the Tangata Whenua (people of the land.) He performs the Haka with the other visiting chiefs, where facial expressions are encouraged. The visiting chiefs must compose their own Farewell Song - Bill's was "Row, Row your Waka" (waka being any vessel of transportation in Maori - a big hit and sing along with all!)  He is presented his Chief's necklace, a carved head representing the most important part of the body."  There are several pictures from our trip in the Gallery.

At the bottom of  Aladdin's Cave in the Orakei Thermal Area, legends have it that you are supposed to soak your wedding rings, then swish your hand in the Mirror Pool and make a wish - it is guaranteed to come true as long as you do not reveal the contents of your wish.  I don't remember what my wish was, but I am sure it had to do with Bill and I have no doubt it proved true.
   
  

Trout Fishing in America

December 6, 2013
Trout Fishing in America - Pico De Gallo - FMP

Our friend Andy Thomas reminded me of the great times we had when we went to "Trout Fishing in America" concerts at clubs throughout Texas.  Bill's absolute favorite song was "Pico de Gallo".  Of course, toys were an absolute must to bring to Trout concerts - Bill had a hat with a big fish head sticking out of it; a 3-foot long plush trout as a mascot, and a farting plush bear in honor of "Mr. Bear" (Troutheads will understand.) Bill had a drawerfull of Trout T-Shirts; the designs reflecting his personality so well.  Our last visit with Ezra and Keith was in Spring, Texas with Raymond and Barbara Glass - we laughed so hard at the "Booger" song it hurt!  Thank you, Ezra and Keith, for bringing such fun into our lives.  http://www.troutmusic.com/ 

Update 12/14/03 - Our friends at Troutmusic will be posting Bill's picture on their Trout Friends page on both their website and on Facebook; they have also provided the studio recording of "Pico de Gallo" for the website.  Thank you, Karen, Ezra and Keith, for honoring Bill in this way.

Mr. Bill

November 14, 2013

Mr. Bill was his serious, no fooling around, personality.  When Bill committed to a project, he was focused and determined.

When Bill received one the early promotions at Texaco, he decided to gussy-up a bit and cut his long pony tail and trimmed his beard.  He encountered one of the Vice Presidents of Texaco Exploration in the elevator the next day.  The VP looked at Bill and said to him: “You clean up pretty good.”  Bill responded back: “Yeah, but I am still the same asshole I have always been.”

In the early days when Bill starting helping Jaye at shows, he worked his regular job on Thursday or Friday, then would drive straight to Houston Intercontinental from work and catch what normally would be the last flight out to wherever he was headed that weekend.  For the return on Sunday, after picking up the show, and if the show was near an Eastern Airlines hub, he would hightail it back to the airport where Bill would catch a 1:00am Eastern freight flight (yes, there were such things in the good ‘ole days) and go straight into work on Monday.


Billybob

November 14, 2013

Billybob was Bill's "redneck" personality, which was very endearing.  Some of his more famous Billybob antics:

On a cruise boat vacation, much to Bill’s dismay, Jaye entered them both in the costume party.  They came into the theatre as “The Lizard Trainer with her pet Lizard” – Bill had a leash around his neck and Jaye had wrapped him head to toe in green crape paper.  Bill gave that “Billybob” grin to the female judge, went to floor on all floors and slithered up to her, put his head in her lap, and gave his best lizard impression, which included the flicking of his tongue "lizardstyle".  They won 3rd place; Bill spent the rest of the cruise being green as the crape paper color came off on his skin.

Jaye collects seals and sea lion items.  On a trip to Europe, Jaye found this huge (4ft long, 3 ft tall) plush seal at Kaufhall in Frankfurt that she just had to have.  Problem was Jaye could not stand sending “Olga” through baggage for the trip home and was sure something would happen to her precious new "baby."  Bill bundled “Olga” up in a big trash bag.  When they got to the security check point at Frankfurt Main, Bill put “Olga” on the luggage belt, walked all the way to the opening of the xray, pushed, shoved and crammed “Olga” through.  On the other side, Bill told the officer to just pull her out, which they did.  Bill was very proud of the achievement.  Fortunately, they were in Business Class on that trip and “Olga” had luxury accommodations in the First Class closet for the rest of the ride home.

Bill went to Saratov, Russia one December to work with one of Texaco’s partners on a project and that is where he found his taste for real Russian vodka.  On at least two occasions, after finishing for the day, which normally included dinner at the office and lots of vodka, Bill and geologist Mike Grammer decided that it was far more practical to walk across the frozen Volga River to their hotel rather than calling a taxi.  Bill was also in charge of the work satellite phone.  Off they went across River, slipping and sliding through the entire trek.  On one such trip, Bill called Jaye on the Satellite Telephone to inform her that he was in the middle of the Volga River, having a great time!  Each time they made it back, Bill would again call Jaye and describe the entire River trip in great detail.  Wonder what that satellite telephone bill ended up being….

Bill purchased his first “luxury car” in 2007 – a Saturn Aura with every imaginable frill and option installed.  Her name was “Gibby”, after the mineral Gibbsite.  A few weeks later, a package from Saturn is on our doorstep.  In it was the original trophy for the Saturn Aura being named the 2007 North American Car of the Year.  Bill had been selected for the Saturn “Trophy Travels” Program, where Saturn selected an elite group of Aura owners and sent them the trophy to play with for 24 hours.  Bill was so excited; took every picture imaginable with it; I don’t remember if he slept with it, but probably it was on the bed stand.  My favorite picture is the Trophy going with him to the SEM lab at Chevron.

 

Wild Willie

November 14, 2013

Bill had three distinct personalities, with Wild Willie being his most fun.  Here are some of Wild Willie's greatest adventures:

Jaye and Bill were on the 5-day Amado Pena Trail Ride through Canyon de Chelly in July 2013.  Bill, having not ridden a horse since they dated in the early 1980s, was doing pretty well.  He was riding beside a young fellow rider as a canyon tour jeep passed the group.  Bill said to the other rider “bet we can catch that jeep!”  The other rider grinned and spurred his horse to a full gallop.  Bill’s horse thought this would be a fun event and took off with Bill holding on to the saddle horn and two cameras.  The canyon echoed with “OH SHIT” as they rounded one of the bends and Bill’s feet came out of the stirrups.  Yes, they caught the jeep, with the wide-eyed tourists not knowing what the heck was happening; and probably scared to death seeing his long mustache coming at them at breakneck speed with Bill grinning ear-to-ear.

During our 3-week trip to Yellowstone in August 2006, Bill thought he saw a moose by the river.  He parked along the road shoulder while Jaye stayed in the car.  About 10 minutes went by when a Park Ranger pulled ahead of the car, parked and went in the same general direction.  About 5 minutes later, Jaye heard the Park Ranger say over his bullhorn: "SIR, STEP AWAY FROM THE MOOSE!"  No more than two minutes later, Bill comes hightailing out of the woods and jumped in the car.  When queried on if it was him the Park Ranger was talking to, he adamently claimed ABSOLUTELY NOT - there was another photographer much closer than he was.   That became our photography catch phase from then on.
  

Award-Winning Photographer

November 14, 2013

Besides mineral collecting, Bill's other passion was photography.  His pictures of wildlife were just magnificent.  In October 2007, Bill  entered a picture of a Ferrigenous Hawk he photographed in the New York Institute of Photography's Hometown Photo contest.  NYIP received over 7,000 contest entries and 200,000 votes from online participants. The 100 photographs that received the most votes in each category were submitted to a panel of celebrity judges, Bobbi Lane, John Owens, and David Handschuh, who selected the winners. Bill's Hawk was designated as an Exhibition Winner in the Pets & Wildlife category. His picture was exhibited in New York City at the Chase Bank Building, 11 Madison Avenue, from October 22 to November 2, 2007.

At the time Bill lusted after a 300mm Canon Lens that was extremely expensive.  Jaye made a bet with him that if he was in the top 10 winners, he could buy his lens.  When the email arrived that he had won, Bill wanted Jaye to pay up!  At the time, house plans were in full swing and the choice now was a 300mm lens or a gourmet kitchen in the new house - he took the kitchen.  

 

 

Race Car Driver

November 12, 2013

Bill was licensed for open wheel Formula Fords by the SCCA sanctioning body and took his qualifying courses at the Bondurant Driving School in Phoenix.  Also, Bill took the Richard Petty's stock car multi-day class at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and was trained by Brian Nofsinger and Trent Owens (famous winged sprint car drivers and NASCAR crew chiefs.)  Bill had a sponsorship deal in place with a Houston area phone card company but it fell through when the phone card fad waned. 

Jaye attended both training courses with Bill as a visitor.  During one of Bill's trials at Bondurant, he spun and put the race car in the deep sand as Jaye watched from the flagman's stand.  As he came riding back on the side pod of one of the other cars, Jaye first comment to him was: "How is the car!?!" as all she could think of was the $3000 deductible on the insurance policy!  Car was fine and Bill was back in it as soon as they towed it back to the starting grid, grinning from ear to ear.   

Gourmet Cook

November 12, 2013
09 Track 9

Bill would buy a cookbook, look at the pictures, then never open it again – and created the most fantastic gourmet meals.  He loved cooking wild game dishes.

When Eldon and Jean came to Houston for their first “official” “let’s meet the new boyfriend” visit, Bill cooked this elaborate dinner that he served poolside at the apartment complex he lived at in Houston.  Eldon didn’t say much during dinner, but definitely ate with relish.  When dinner was finished, Eldon sat back in his chair and said: “I can see that I will get well fed out of this relationship.”

Love Story

November 11, 2013

Bill and Jaye met at the Southwest Gem & Mineral Society show in San Antonio, Texas in 1979.  Bill, his brother and mother showed up Sunday afternoon.  They camped out on the floor going through mineral flats.  After they left and during pick up, Jaye said to Jean: “I got to get to know that boy better!”

During the next four years, Bill would come to various shows Jaye was at, sometimes with a date, sometimes not.  During the “not” times, he always mentioned how he was so tired of girlfriends who complained about him spending money at the Gem shows for minerals instead of jewelry for them!

In 1983, during the AFMS/SWFMS show in Houston, Bill asked Jaye on a date.  They went dancing at a local country western bar.  From there, the relationship progressed through a major letter writing campaign due to Jaye’s road schedule. 

Later that year,  Bill flew to Tucson while Jaye was at the ranch in Tombstone.  After a weekend of horseback riding, dancing and hiking, both knew that life’s path had been laid for both of them to walk it together.

Bill asked Jaye to marry him in 1984; plans were made for a February 1985 wedding that would work into Jaye’s show schedule.  More memorable than the wedding was the pre-wedding reception held at the Sheraton during the Tucson show – on the most miserably cold night of the entire winter.  Champagne flowed, lots of hot food served, and Jaye’s and Bill’s love kept the evening cozy and warm.

Jaye and Bill honeymooned in the Poconos – heartshaped Jacuzzi, swimming pool in the room – the works.  They purchased their first home in 1986 in Houston.

In 2008, the property next to Jaye’s parents  became available in Tucson; Bill and Jaye purchased it and starting building their retirement home.  It was completely designed by Bill.  He was most proud of the mineral room and the ledge lighting system he designed. And, Jaye made sure Bill had the gourmet kitchen his incredible cooking deserved.  It was completed in 2010; Jaye and Bill used it has a vacation home until moving permanently to Tucson September 15, 2012.

Work Life

November 11, 2013

The Superior Oil Company (Bill always told people that the President of Superior Oil told him that is was “THE” Superior Oil Company”) sent a very persistent headhunter after Bill; Bill was hired to make thin-sections.  His reputation for quality and accurate work spread quickly and Robertson Research, based in England, came a'calling.  Bill became manager of the Reservoir Geology Lab and in charge of all SEM and thin-section work.  Robertson Research shut down all lab operations in Houston in 1985.  At the time it seemed like a real blow, as the now newly married Mr. Bill was without a job.  Bill went on the road with Jaye for a couple months before the call from Texaco came.  Dr. Harry Dahl and Emily Stoudt interviewed Bill and hired him to make thin sections.

Bill moved through the ranks at Texaco, up to manager of the Thin Section Lab and Core Lab.  After the merger (as Bill would say “takeover”) with Chevron, Bill briefly worked in the Drilling Cement Lab until a place was found for him back in the Reservoir Geology Group managing worldwide core and eventually becoming lead at the eSEM lab and responsible for eSEM work for Chevron units and partners.  Bill was co-contributor on many external and internal Chevron-produced geologic reports.

After 28 years with Texaco and Chevron, Bill retired early at 55 on September 17, 2012.

The Early Days

November 9, 2013

Bill was born in the month of June, 1957 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

When someone would ask Bill if he was from Texas, he always made sure they knew he was born in Oklahoma

Bill moved with his family to Houston in 1960.

With his Dad as team coach, Bill played baseball and football.

Bill and his Dad joined the Houston Gem & Mineral Society when he was 10 years old; he participated in field trips with his family with Magnet Cove and Rush, Arkansas being one of his favorite mineral localities and trips as a kid.  Bill started collecting “rocks” then and moved up to “minerals” when he started college.

Bill attended Louisiana State University in Ruston, Louisiana then transferred to Texas A & M in College Station.  His major was Geology.

During a field camp, Bill caught a geology professor misidentifying an outcrop and corrected him.  Later than day, the professor told Bill he would never make it in geology and ought to quit and seek another profession.