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From:
Mandy Mock
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Thursday, March 9, 2023
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The video recording of Bill's celebration of life is now available at
https://youtu.be/b2WelV5sTZQ
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From:
Mandy Mock
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Sunday, March 5, 2023
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As many of you know, Dad was a pretty direct person. He always had lots of questions and rarely held back from asking them. At least for his direct family, one of the most frequent was ‘when’s the last time you flossed your teeth?’ This was the type of question you got regularly- - in fact nearly every time you saw him. It would be followed promptly by – and did you brush your teeth? He was a huge believer in dental hygiene! But that was just one example. Dad always was checking in if we had taken care of things. Other common questions might be Does the car have gas? And when’s the last time you changed the oil? Although he must have had more confidence in those after I married Jason, because those questions stopped around then.
He also was always giving us little things to make life easier. Christmas stockings were inevitably filled with tools and gadgets to help. That was my Dad’s love language. He wasn’t an expressive man who shared a lot of his emotions, but you could always tell how much he cared though his actions. He was incredibly kind, both to us in his immediate family and to so many others in the world. Giving back through the food pantry, meals on wheels, contributions to the church, and giving his time and attention to his grandchildren were so important to him. The world needs more people like that, so let’s all take his example as an inspiration and strive to do the same. And of course – don’t forget to floss your teeth.
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From:
Lee McCandless
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Thursday, March 2, 2023
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Giedre and I want you to know we are thinking of you and to offer our sincere condolences. I worked with Bill at Reagan airport for eight years and we had a great relationship as a working team. He would always make sure that I got the midnight assignments while he took the hard work of organizing the training courses and bringing the doughnuts. He was a great mentor and a truly wonderful person to work with. We send our love to you and the family.
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From:
Alnita Coulter
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Tuesday, February 28, 2023
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Linda and I worked together. For 24 years, Uncle Bill, as he was affectionately known would put up with our early morning conversations that threatened to run over into prior commitments or our late-night laughing.
Uncle Bill was great at asking questions that probed into the essence of who you were and what you stood for. I think he often understood people and situations before they did.
Whenever I would go to his house or have a conversation with Linda, he always had a question that he patiently waited for me to answer. He would immediately follow that up with some great insight followed by a joke.
One of my favorites is the Cows Go Who Knock Knock joke. (Ironically, I'm typing this while sitting at my Daughter's house which is situated across from the most beautiful cow pasture that overlooks a river).
For those that haven't heard it:
Knock Knock
Who's there?
Cows Go
Cows go who?
No. No. Cows go Moooooooo!
I have told this joke to countless people in countless different situations, and each time it made me smile. (It's bringing tears to my eyes as I'm telling it this time.)
I always tell people that Linda and Bill are single-handedly responsible for increasing the quality of life for me and my. They expanded my horizons in so many ways and encouraged me to reach for the possibilities.
I was fortunate to be able to spend time with Linda, Uncle Bill, and Robin in Hawaii in 2021. We explored the islands beauty as we visited the aquarium and the Botanical Gardens. But even more than that we were able to laugh and talk as we explored various facets of life with Uncle Bill's insightful questions.
I've told him this whole time if there was anyone that could beat this it was him. Reading about his life confirms that. He was a man that did great things without the need for fanfare. That speaks volumes.
I spoke to him several days before he passed. I was so scared that I wouldn't be able to speak to him again. When he got on the phone, he sounded like the same strong Uncle Bill that he had always been. But, this time he said, "Kid it's looking a little rough." I think he knew I needed to hear his strength. Even in the midst of preparing for his end, we laughed.
As a pilot, I know that Uncle Bill would unexpectedly experience turbulence. I think that's a good characterization of what his death feels like. A rather unexpected bumpiness on what otherwise was a beautiful flight. So, I imagine that Captain Uncle Bill has turned on the fasten seat belt signs for our safety as he prepared to venture into an unknown journey.
Although it's a little rough right now, He was able to look ahead. Uncle Bill could see what we couldn't see, know we would be alright, and wanted us to know that blue skies are ahead. And, of course, he wouldn't dare sign off without a joke or a bit of laughter.
Thanks for being such a wonderful part of me and my children's lives, Uncle Bill. If he was here, he would be telling Linda that I've written far too much and spoken too long like he often did after we spent hours on the phone. So, I'm going to sign off now.
Thanks for being such a great man, wonderful Uncle, and inspiration for me and all of those you encountered. You will be missed.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Alnita
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From:
edward brewer
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Tuesday, February 28, 2023
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Correction to my memory. I was talking about lunch at MWAA when each morning he would make a batch of fresh bread. OH the aromas! We couldn't wait for lunch to share some with him. As Mandy stated he was a big lunch eater then as well!
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From:
edward brewer
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Tuesday, February 28, 2023
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I will never forget working for Bill in Engineering at Andrews AFB. He was a great boss and friend. We accomplished so much under his leadership. Little did I know that I would once again have the privilege of working for him again at the Airports Authority five years after I retired from the air Force. Bill is the one I owe my job at MWAA to as he informed me of the open position. Robin worked for me as an intern when I first got there and he was just as hard working and kind as Bill. We Couldn't wait for lunch to have some! I and everyone he touched in his life will miss him greatly.
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From:
Mandy Mock
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Tuesday, February 28, 2023
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The lost lunch:
Dad frequently told us what a big eater he was as a teenager. But he apparently surprised even himself one day. As he ran out the door to school with his lunch bag, his mom asked him to take out the trash. Running by the trash can, he tossed in the bag and headed to school. Imagine his surprise when he sat down to lunch, only to find he had a bag full of trash and had thrown out his lunch that morning!
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