Hey Doc
Had a good scientific and philosophical discussion with some friends the other day and thought of you, and how you would have liked to have been in the mix of it.
I still smile sometimes when I think of how your reaction to some of my more extreme statements or perspectives would be.
Keep dancing your days away my friend and I'll catch up with you later on.

I have not forgotten you ….. I never will! Miss you always! Rest in peace my dear friend ♥️

Gone but never forgotten, Bill. Michelle, Ben, and I will remember you when we gather this evening. We will meet again, my friend.

I hope the angels are dancing with you. Just show them how to move their feet and keep the beat!

Continue to rest in peace, Dear Friend. I hope to meet you again in the next phase of our existence. Hope you are experiencing great peace.

Hey Doc
Hope you can see that people are still watching your videos & participating in humanianity meetings.
Hope we are honoring you &
your legacy well.
Until we meet again

Hey Doc.
I Remember when you would be dancing while we were standing
in line at the cafeteria.
It was quite amusing watching you,
And watching people's reactions.
Of whatever people might say you were or weren't they cannot say you were not a genuine character.
Keep dancing your days away
my friend. Until we meet again.

Rest In Peace, Bill. So hard to believe it has been 2 years. Miss you every day, my dear friend.    

Happy Birthday Doc.
We still think & speak of you often.
Sometimes I imagine what your response might be.
Hope we are making you proud.
Keep dancing your days away.
We'll see you later on.

Thanks for your beautiful post, Ben. Yes, we will all be together again at a later point in time.

Hey Doc.
We miss you.
Hope you are dancing
your days away.
We'll see you later on.

I met Bill when I was 16 years old, (which I am now 45)
He was a unique character to say the least.
(A different kind of cat you might say)
He over time became part of our family,
staying at my mothers house on weekends,
and then when he retired he moved in with her full time
becoming her room mate & close companion.
Over the years I got to know this eccentric, yet very genuine man
who had a long & successful career as a psychiatrist,
even having his own practice for multiple decades
in which time he helped many people in many ways.
Bill was very passionate about Philosophy,
even developing his own brand of it known as "humanianity".
He wrote 3 books which can be downloaded for free
off of the humanianity.com website.
While being rather complex his books/website/discussions/etc
had an objective of helping mankind improve himself,
his life, and his world. And I think there's quite a bit to be said for that.
To be such a serious man he had a wickedly good sense of humor.
He also LOVED to debate philosophical & existential matters.
I used to be quite perplexed sometimes at his intense debating of
almost every idea I proposed, not realizing until much later
how much it helped me sharpen my own debating &
critical thinking skills, and solidify my own ideas & philosophies,
which in turn helped me become a more thoughtful & better person,
as I'm sure it did this for many others as well.
Bill I hope that somehow you can read this message as I
wish I could have spoke to you one more time to say
these words to you.
In closing, in my mind & heart I like to think of you
joyfully dancing the days away forevermore.

Until we meet again my friend,  -Ben 



 

I met Bill five years ago in a Humanist group at the Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte. New to the area and church, I looked forward to those monthly discussions, which were always elevated by his rational discourse and respectful tone. He seemed to come from a place of reason, compassion and tolerance. I got the sense listening to him that despite ongoing manifestations of our innate tribalism, he had confidence in the “slow creep of progress” made possible by science and secular reason. It will be hard for me to imagine my UUCC Humanist connection going forward without Bill.

Thank you .

You’ve created a space in a time in my life where I was lost . I didn’t have anywhere to turn to , no one understood me and I just felt alone . In 2013 I found your group and been so thankful ever since . I wish we had more time to have that conversation. But you will forever live on in my memory.

-Marco

My heart hurts for Bill’s passing! I shared my thought with Minette (Cathey) that I thought Bill would live forever and I would get one more dance with this great guy - my regret. I had much respect for this very wise and down-to-earth man. He put me on the dance floor many, many times for HOURS (six, to be exact) at a time. I learned so much about living, life, and dance because of him. He always said, “This will make you more marketable!” ...and it did! Bill, I’ll always cherish our time shared and your TM pocket protector! 

Bill and I enjoyed lunch together about once a month, me trying to eat a healthy salad and Bill, doing the same. He led an exceptionally healthy life, physically, morally, ethically. Our conversations improved my thinking / problem solving especially in the area of personal relationships. His website, Humanianity had significant insights for me that helped with a few problems I was working through at the time. He will be missed.

It has been heartwarming reading all the tributes to Bill from his community of friends - people whose lives he touched in many ways. I have known Bill for only a few years and usually saw him when I practiced clogging with Cathey Franklin at her home or at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I always admired his intellect and quiet manner. It was a very pleasant and intriguing experience to be in his company and I always wanted to know more about him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

I had the privilege of being with Bill during joyful times - dancing. Bill loved ballroom dancing and was a great leader. No doubt it helped him stay fit for many years. Not only did I get to dance with him but he came to many of our clogging performances to support the team members, especially Cathey, his dear friend and housemate. So I will remember happy moments and, above all, his smile.

Bill was such a precious, inspirational soul. I am just now finding out about his passing and had so hoped that I'd run into him during the pandemic on one of his walks around the pond at Freedom Park sporting his Humanianity t-shirt. His years at our church Watershed are dear to me and one of the things that always stuck out to me was that his journey toward a more compassionate way of living was based on a longing to have been an improved more compassionate and loving parent through the years. While I don't know the whole story, I took his words to heart in my own parenting and will forever miss his presence. Rest Well, Bill. we will always love you!

The past 2 weeks have been the most difficult I have ever experienced. Bill roomed at my house for many years and we have been close friends almost 30 years. HIs loss has been devastating for me and I am just beginning to accept the reality of it. I am most fortunate to have a small but very supportive family and a bunch of wonderful, supportive friends. I have been staying all over the place because I hate to come home to the empty house with Bill not here. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of you. My family will host a celebration of life later in the spring. It will be a beautiful event, very informal, and you all will be invited.

In our earliest days at Watershed, Bill and I would have lunch together about once a month. Bill's ideas about reality, god, and evolution were not only refreshing but challenging and eye-opening. Those of us who knew Bill are deeply saddened by his passing and offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends. 

Bill was such an asset to Wedgewood Church, where he was a member. He was one of the first people there every Sunday morning. He loved Wedgewood and Wedgewood loved Bill. He once said that Wedgewood Church encompassed what Humanianity was all about. He taught us all so much and made us think deeper and reflect more. We all love him and will miss him, but will never forget Bill Van Fleet.

Hi, I, like many others, was influenced by Bill's presence. I did not meet Bill until January of 2019, but my recent acquaintance was a strong one. I did many Humanianity conversations on You Tube. I was one of the top participants. Also, was a regular at his Sunday night philosophy group as well as the Tuesday night Humanianity group. Hos dedication to making this crazy world a better place will be missed. Bill also attended the Sunday morning discussion group at the Episcopal Church of our Savior in Rock Hill. Iw ill miss him greatly as will so any he influenced. May I see you again in that Mystery beyond all human understanding. Rest well until we meet again. Your friend, Steve

Bill was quite a powerful person to me. I know very few who were as committed to their personal projects. He made me feel as though I wasn't alone in wanting to dedicate my life to changing/saving the world, even if it didn't seem all that likely to succeed. He had an aura of immense confidence about him, as if there was no question about what his- and dare I say humanity's- mission in life was. I imagine his efforts will be among the few which motivate me in my darkest times. I'll cherish my memories with him and the groups he hosted in Charlotte. Hopefully we'll continue the spirit of Humanianity with our actions. Thank you Bill

Bill and I logged hundreds, perhaps thousands of hours of debate and one on one discussions. He used to visit me once or twice a week at my office off of Queen City Drive. We would sit together for hours in the conference room, usually long into the evening discussing life, religion, philosophy, and of course Humanianity.

There were times I'd think about things we discussed and I'd apply them to my life and benefit, for example, his philosophy on Rational Ethical Child Rearing helped me get closer to my children.

I will miss you Bill... your personality, your council, your wit, your insight... but most of all your friendship. Rest in Peace my friend.

Bill I will forever miss you you were a like a mentor to me. With your outstanding knowledge of philosophy and psychology impressed me a lot. I will carry memory of you with me always.

Dear Bill, I am truly heartbroken and deeply saddened from the news of your passing. You have been a huge part of my life with many life changing events, good and bad, since 2005.
“..mariela, who with me being her most difficult student graciously excepted my efforts to teach her” you said. You have always been the wise one and have tried to better my perspectives ... I will miss our long conversations and you trying to shape me to be a better human being.
I was even able to “pressure” you to perform once. And remember our very first ballroom dance agreement 16 years ago almost to the day, I had to sign that I will never ask you to perform?! You called your self a “ballroom dance addict” and we have spend some many wonderful hours on the dance floor together! Ohhhh...how i will miss you! Always!
The ballroom dance community will never be the same without you! You have touched so many lives with your selfishness and striving always to give back to the community and the world!
RIP my dear friend! 
Until we meet again!

Bill was an asset to our Humanist group at the Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte.... always taking the long view, understanding that humans are evolving and a work in progress, and encouraging kind, respectful communication. We will miss Bill and strive to carry forward his kindness and wisdom.

I didn't know Bill super well, but I know for sure he was passionate about philosophy and, especially, his Humanianity project. He was a fun person to converse with, and I will keep him alive in my memories. Bill was there, along with the other members of Charlotte Atheist & Agnostics, when I first came out as an atheist, and was a great help to me.

Bill sponsored and lead the Charlotte Philosophy Discussion group for 14 years. I've participated and benefited from these discussions he promoted. He was calm, tolerant, benevolent, even handed, humble, ...
Perhaps that explains the 1692 members his group has.
He made a lasting difference in my life; and I'll carry him on.