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Who is Having More Fun Here?
Bill Blackford as "Best Storyteller"
A few memories of Bill
I met Bill in the fall of 1971 at the Residential College (U-M). He quickly became like a member of my family. To my Mom, Bill was another son. He was a frequent guest.
Michigan went to the 1972 Rose Bowl. His family quickly became hosts to eight college guys: his roommate Stan and three of his friends, and me and friends. One story that struck Bill's fancy was the day his Mom was baking a ham for all of us. She was very slowly trying to remove the cloves with tongs. I 'volunteered' to help and removed them by hand. If you could have seen his Mother's face! I told her, "Don't worry, any germs will be baked off."
I was a frequent guest during Bill's early New York years and my Mom would also visit New York once a year to catch up with Bill. One of those times, when Bill lived on East 91st Street, I remember he requested my Mom make spanish rice. I don't remember any special reason, but he wanted some of Ma Whittum's cooking.
If I remember correctly, that was the same visit where Bill had an 'appointment.' It really was a date with Tory, but he wasn't ready to introduce us yet.
When he announced he was getting married, my Mom made a quilt especially from him and Tory. After all, what better gift than something handmade for one of your sons (and his wife).
We had a lot of good times.