What was remarkable about Dr Bill was: he became a real friend and father figure to many of us.

He teased, he cajoled, he took us to task (well he took me to task!) when he felt we could do or behave better.

He encouraged, he perserved, he set an example. He was kind, and stern and soft hearted.

Many of use here have met each other, but few met Dr Bill, yet we all share a sense that we knew him, and he knew us.
We loved him, each in our way, and he returned that love.

In many ways, we are a self selected group, and he became part of our group, and we all are the better for it.

It would be unreal to pretend we never disagreed with Dr Bill, but we were able, even in our disagrements, to respect each other. Our love for words and knowledge transended any petty disagrement.

I am a better person for having known him.

my other obsession