Captain, my heart is broken , you did not need to leave us so soon. You where and Angel in life a true gentlemen, a Maui boy, a Longhi's fixture, life in the Maui rainbow will never be the same. I wish I could hug you for the last time or have a cold one at Prindle Beach with you. Our little Airport Beach , only true Island people like us know that . Makena was pristine and we spend nites watching the sky. Flowers to you my friend. May the road take me back to the Island where I belong. Won't be much longer. I see you soon my love.

13 years ago we met at Kaleialoha. I was the bosses daughter and pretty cute back in the day and you had your hands full keeping me happy which you did willingly. You brought me joy and laughter,(and the occasional gardenia) and now heartache because I will never see you again. You were a pain in my a..sometimes but filled up my heart with so many good times and sweet memories. We found you stilled forever 2 weeks ago today. I wish you could see, feel and hear the loving tributes your many friends and family have given you. Why did you have to leave us and where are you now? Give me a sign that you are finally at peace so that I can send you my last Aloha. A big smackaroo to you... You were the best kisser ever! (TMI?) I will always love you Willie and wish I could have done more to ease your loneliness. Sleep with the angels "sugar"... And no funny stuff!

Willie & Leslie were my first friends on Maui and quickly became family. So many holidays, camping adventures (Tidepools!), sunset BBQs at Prindle Beach, Superbowl and too many great times to name. Our little island family weathered many good and bad times together and although life took us in different directions you always remained in my heart...A Hui Hou - save me a beach chair at that sunset BBQ in the sky:)

In the early days of Longhi's we had a brotherhood of great friends. Life was filled with surfing, sailing, fishing, four wheeling, and road trips to Hana and around. I hope Billy meets up with the loveable Fuzz, who passed a couple years ago. Certain friendships endure in your "best of" memories and that's where Billy resides with me.

Aloha my friend and brother. You will always be loved and missed. Help God fill heaven with Aloha, as you filled so many hearts with it here. Catch lots of fish, watch a lot of whales and film lots of video's, and cook for many. Fish On!!!!

A friend for many years, Willie will be forever missed. So many memories of all the hours spent out on the water, and also just hanging out as good friends do. He was a great chef and I remember sharing in on a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner that he prepared years ago. Reminiscing of good ole times spent with Willie I am reminded of the most important thing of all and that is that he was always kind. I simply cannot remember a time when he was not kind and that means the world to me. A true man of aloha and always a dear friend. Willie will live on forever in the hearts of many. Rest In Peace you dear soul.

Billy is my big brother, he was the big brother that teased me and was the sweet loving brother all at the same time. He had such a big heart, and loved his mother and sisters so much! I'm gonna miss you calling me Billy in the month of Jan to tell me how hot you are and asking someone to pass you suntan lotion while I'm freezing my a.. Off in Wisconsin !!!!!! Or our bickering over the greenbay and the bears:) I know your with mom now and just know we all love you and will miss the wonderful you xoxo

To us, Willie WAS Maui. No one did aloha better than Willie. Drinking Willie Mosas, talking story at sunset, some of the best feasts of our lives, laughing ourselves silly. We will always miss you sweet one. Love, Becky & John. Sedona, AZ

I have thirty five years of memories to share, way too many for this small page.
You were a gracious and caring guy, and nobody ever went hungry around you brother.
You were always in charge of the fun, and nobody did it better. And EVERYBODY was welcome, E Komo Mai kine braddah, that was you.
You cared about people, and it showed. You welcomed all with aloha and a plate of food as well. Nobody was ever left out.
We had our ups and downs over the years it seems, but we always came back to being good friends.
 I am grateful that we got to spend some time on the water a few months ago, and I will never forget surfing S-Turns on that boat, and many many other moments. That DNLR guy is probably still looking for us I think.
God Bless and we will miss you.

I was in Alaska watching our beloved whales when you passed Willie. I miss you already. We had a nice Kaleialoha send off tonight for you at our Kaleialoha and I just know you were up there watching us on this beautiful night. I will ring the whale bell and watch Da Chicago Bears for both of us Willie. RIP

Our fond memories of you will always remain with us.
Rest in peace. Eileen and Kim Thaler

I have the best memories of all of our good times - at the Kaleialoha, on the Free Willie I, II, III and IV, whale watching, music, Front street, Halloween, it goes on and on. Willie was the best host I'd ever seen. Always enjoyed throwing a festive party. He made a lot of people happy and was one of the most fun guys I've ever known. I will miss him greatly. Hope there's lots of fishin going on up there for ya buddy. Thanks for all the good times.

It is so hard to accept the fact that Billy (Willy) Nelson has passed. Such an amazing individual, and a dear family friend for over thirty years. A huge part of Maui has departed, and the rock will not be the same. We will cherish the incredible memories that he left behind, for some of the finest times of our lives. I was so fortunate to have been a room mate of Willy’s in the late 70’s (then called Billy Nelson), with our numerous camping adventures to Hana, Haleakala, Makena or Hobbit Land, singing around the campfire, or four wheeling on the beach, or riding the waves of Honolua Bay, or freezing our tails at Haleakala Crater (for the sunrise that never came), or hanging out with Marvin Gaye, George Benson, or Charley’s Angels. These were the days, with once in a lifetime experiences that shall remain on Maui and around the globe, for generations to come, with Willy Nelson leading the way. Aloha for now my brother. The Russell’s

Willie and I were best friends for 30 years. When I came to Maui we started doing everything together.He always included me in everything. Cooking together , camping, going to San Fran and of course .fishing . I took him under my wing when I was Chef at the Hyatt Maui. Always had the Aloha Spirit and the Joy of Cooking.I will always cherish our wonderful memories and I will miss you Willie. Your best friend .Rick

Mahalo for all of your kindness to Bailey and I. Great holiday meals and boat rides! Bay will miss his Uncle Willie...and I will miss him too...Your free now with Jesus:)

My Dearest Billy,
Even tho we didn't grow up together, I felt that I had known you all my life. I will cherish the times we were together for ever. You may have left my life, but you will never leave my heart.
RIP baby brother :( Love, Susan

I met Willie in 2000. He embodied the Island life style, always made sure I felt like family, and was a true friend. Willie enjoyed life to the fullest and his laugh was infectious! Spending time with him on the 'Free Willies' where he was most at home, will always be with me as an incredible life experience not shared by everyone. He introduced me to almost every friend I have on Maui, for that I am grateful. I will always remember Willie and the time I have spent with him. He was true ambassador of the Aloha Spirit. Kaleialoha, Honokowai and Hawaii wont be the same without you Willie! Aloha, you will be missed!

Love you willie... Watch over us all... You will be missed...