I spent an afternoon with Bill a few years ago at his place in Launceston. He was in his early eighties and Bill remained cheerful, good natured, witty and spry. Since then, I'm told, Bill returned to Smithton where he passed away peacefully yesterday.
Bill was a loveable Old Rogue and there is a fair sized squadron of pilots around the world who got a leg into aviation courtesy of HGV and Cape Country Air Charters. Bill taught those fresh CPLs (self included) a lot about flying, and life, while bouncing around the beaches and islands of Tasmania's West Coast. What's more, he seemed to be genuinely concerned and interested with the life and careers of his former employees. Like a proud father, Bill knew what they were all up to and would rattle off the names of his pilots with the story of who was working where, and who was flying what.
Billy was a great bloke who helped a lot of people over the years and there will be many a tall tale and misty eye in Tasmania over the next few days.
pithblot
Last edited by pithblot; 25th Apr 2016 at 04:38.