This is the hardest missive I have ever penned. Good thing tears don't stain computer keyboards. Cap'n Bill was a man's man, a staunch patriot, and a loving and devoted husband and father. To me, he was: Our Brother-in-law; my best friend; my fishing buddy; my partner in enjoyment of seafood feasts; and abettor of my pyrotechnic propensities. I don't know how many times he saved my butt as my pinochle partner. We had so much in common that there is little I can do in my life henceforth without remembering him and the pleasure of his company. Who is going to help me with technical and mechanical problems now? He was my "go to" guy.
I'm not sure if his favorite song was, God bless the USA, Boston Pops Orchestra, or North to Alaska, which I had to hear every day on our motorhome trip through Alaska and many times since.
Bill and I caught more fish, killed more scotch, and enjoyed unusual seafood feasts more than any two men I know. We parted ways at apertifs however, each having an affair with the other's wife's taste for Grand Marnier (Barbara), and Baileys (Patricia).
Bill was a superb cook. We enjoyed swapping recipes, notably, Billy's (Gramps) famous ribs, and my rendition of Drago's barbequed oysters. Hope the Todd clan keeps the rib recipe going.I could go on and on, but now I'm drooling.
Our first real meeting was at Lake Powell for a weeks houseboat outing. Bill was very cool at first, and I thought, "This is going to be a long week". But, once he saw I was competent at boat handling/seamanship, he warmed up a bit. With his excellence at handling and maintaining the houseboat, and keeping the crew in line, I figgured I ought to call him Cap'n. That brought a big grin, and coupled with catching more huge striper than he'd ever seen, fireworks mischief,
catching holy hell for stealing some of Trish's chili to put in our scrambled eggs and cheese, we cemented our BBF for good.
Bill's probably catching more kolanee, walleyes, and stripers than ever before. I hope there is plenty of scotch, ice, and Coors Lite where he's at. Dammit, we miss him and will forevermore.