This is what his friends, Ken Hohl, Dave Collins and Marty Kelly had to say about him at his Memorial Service -
He loved Chicago and was always visiting museums, experiencing
the cultural diversity of Chicago and sampling new restaurants.
He especially loved the chili cheesedogs found at Janson's,
a culinary delight. On the North Side, he introduced
us to Ranalli's Pizzeria, and their exotic selection
of beers. When we visited him in Milwaukee, there was
John Hawke's Pub, The Safehouse and Ricky's on State.
He would often have a word of the day, a word that
was new to him that he would use throughout the day wherever
the opportunity presented itself.
Bill loved Science Fiction and Fantasy and was a voracious
reader. He wrote constantly, especially short stories
that were always creative and interesting.
After he transferred to Marquette, he lived in an off-campus
apartment that he shared with three other guys. The place
was a sty. Dave once came home early from a weekend visit
because fruit flies had invaded the place, even the refrigerator.
He loved cars and was fond of his 1988 Toyota Celica, a sharp
looking sports car.
Bill loved good music; Jazz, Classical and Rock 'n Roll were
all represented in his record collection. He had bought
a state of the art stereo on his previous tour in Okinawa.
He liked Emerson, Lake and Palmer and especially loved
their version of Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man.
We all spent hours listening to music together. Whenever
Bill was at Dave's, he insisted that Dave accompany some
of their favorite selections on his drum set. Then, Bill
would attempt to play along as well.
Beginning with high school, Dave, Ken and Bill traveled to
school together. First it was the bus to Marist, ogling
McAuley girls; then it was the drive down Damen every
morning to Circle, listening to some new radio guy, Jonathan
Brandmeier, and occasionally screaming at unsuspecting
pedestrians.
We played poker at least once a week starting in 8th grade
at any house that would have us, often sneaking huge
amounts of junk food past unsuspecting parents. Bill's
appearances at the games began to taper off when he discovered
girls were more appealing on a Friday night. We thought
so too but had no takers.
Senior year at Marist, Bill and Dave participated in the
annual blood drive. Dave donated; Bill fainted as the
nurse pricked his finger. That Spring, Dave and Bill
worked out together nearly every other day. They lifted
weights and ran several miles to prepare Bill for the
rigors of R.O.T.C.
On a couple of occasions, Bill vacationed with Ken, Dave
and Marty in Twin Lakes where we tried to test the liquor
laws of the state of Wisconsin at the Bamboo Hut. We
were successful. We had left childhood behind.
Bill loved the movies. We all got together often to watch
movies in Ken's basement. Monty Python, the spaghetti
westerns, the Dirty Harry's - all the classics. We watched
for hours on end. On one occasion, while Bill slept soundly,
we gave him his first mustache, drawn with a felt tip
pen.
We all wound up working at the Evergreen Plaza. Bill worked
at Demler's with his sisters Regina and Loran and friend
Bryan Byrne and at Lerner's with Angie Giannoni and Jeannie
Boltz. Later, he joined Ken, Dave and Marty at A.S. Beck
Shoes. Bill was clerk #49, call sign Wild Bill.
He decorated every new receipt book with a bolt of lightning
and the nickname.
Ken saw him in April, 1990 on a visit with Jeannie to Southern
California, where Bill was stationed. Bill spoke of his
future plans and his longing for home. He talked non-stop
about his impending leave, scheduled for the Christmas
Holidays.
Bill was an experimenter and a committed individual. He always
seemed to be the first to do everything. He was the first
to go out with girls, move out on his own, graduate from
college, marry and was always first at Ken's annual Christmas
party.
Bill always looked on the bright side. He had a wonderful
sense of humor and was witty. He was very intelligent
but was never condescending. He was always on your level.
He was one of the most open minded people you could ever
meet; everyone was given a chance.
Bill was a good listener and a compassionate, understanding
man. He was a tremendous conversationalist, a very loyal
friend and, in fact, had no enemies. He was liked by
all, and kept up with friends old and new alike. People
remembered Bill; he made a lasting impression on all
that knew him. He will be terribly missed.