Sad News... Update Post #32...Photos Added Post #47, #61 & #75

[Hostile]

Thanks all. I'm going to scan a couple of photos and post them for you today when I take his Life Insurance and funeral plot info back to his place.

First thing I am going to do today though is wash the blood off his car. I can't stand to see it when I drive by. It isn't anything that will help him pull through this, but if he does pass and his family comes here I do not want them to see it.

I told several of the neighbors last night that he is not likely to pull through this. A lot of sad folks around this neighborhood. Bill was quite genuinely liked by all.

Bill once told me he was going to give me his guns. In fact, he already did give me a 12 gauge shotgun because he said he was too old to ever shoot it again. I'd love to have them, but without a will stating that he wanted me to have them, I am not going to say anything. I don't think it would be right.

His niece mentioned selling the car to help pay for his wife's medical care. I'm wondering how long she will even last without him. I found out last night that in addition to feeding her every meal, he reads to her every day. He sits in a chair by her bed and reads.

Old people really know how to love.

 

[Faerluna]

I found out last night that in addition to feeding her every meal, he reads to her every day. He sits in a chair by her bed and reads.

Old people really know how to love.

You can only be thankful if you find that kind of love in your lifetime. Such beautiful devotion.

 

[burmafrd]

one of the saddest things about modern society is that whole families used to live and die together; the seniors taken care of by their children and grand children. Now....

 

[tomson75]

This is something that tears me up....a hate watching that generation disappear. Somehow I get the feeling that the newer generations, and those still to come, will never fully grasp what the people of that era persevered through.

Truly sad days.

As far as his guns go.....just my opinion, but if he had expressed his desire for you to have his guns, then I believe you should say something. Where will they go if you don't take ownership? Some random person? If so, I think it would serve a greater role in the hands of someone that actually new their history, and the man that owned them. I'd wager he would agree with me. If they're of historical value, and there is a local museum, maybe they would be of some value there?

IDK...just seems like a waste to let them go without preserving some of the story behind them...much like the rest of his military memorabilia.

 

[CliffnDallas]

This is something that tears me up....a hate watching that generation disappear. Somehow I get the feeling that the newer generations, and those still to come, will never fully grasp what the people of that era persevered through.

Truly sad days.

As far as his guns go.....just my opinion, but if he had expressed his desire for you to have his guns, then I believe you should say something. Where will they go if you don't take ownership? Some random person? If so, I think it would serve a greater role in the hands of someone that actually new their history, and the man that owned them. I'd wager he would agree with me. If they're of historical value, and there is a local museum, maybe they would be of some value there?

IDK...just seems like a waste to let them go without preserving some of the story behind them...much like the rest of his military memorabilia.

If they are dated to the war and the landings at Normandy Six June 44, perhaps The National D-Day Museum in New Orleans would give them a good home.

 

[Hostile]

This is something that tears me up....a hate watching that generation disappear. Somehow I get the feeling that the newer generations, and those still to come, will never fully grasp what the people of that era persevered through.

Truly sad days.

As far as his guns go.....just my opinion, but if he had expressed his desire for you to have his guns, then I believe you should say something. Where will they go if you don't take ownership? Some random person? If so, I think it would serve a greater role in the hands of someone that actually new their history, and the man that owned them. I'd wager he would agree with me. If they're of historical value, and there is a local museum, maybe they would be of some value there?

IDK...just seems like a waste to let them go without preserving some of the story behind them...much like the rest of his military memorabilia.

None of the guns are military. There's a .357 magnum, a .22 Remington rifle, two .22 pistols, and a black powder flint lock pistol.

His niece said that Bill told her Dad all about me. So there is a chance they will give them to me.

Bill was a painter. The only other thing I would want is one of his paintings. I'd gladly hang it in my office. If I scan the pictures and post them later I will take one of a couple of his paintings too. He did beautiful work.

 

[Bill Wooten]

None of the guns are military. There's a .357 magnum, a .22 Remington rifle, two .22 pistols, and a black powder flint lock pistol.

His niece said that Bill told her Dad all about me. So there is a chance they will give them to me.

Bill was a painter. The only other thing I would want is one of his paintings. I'd gladly hang it in my office. If I scan the pictures and post them later I will take one of a couple of his paintings too. He did beautiful work.

Can't hurt to tell the neice that you would like to have the guns and a painting as a way to remember him. At least offer to purchase them instead of them selling them at an estate sale. Chances are she will give them to you because of how much you meant to her uncle. Worst case, you buy them and know that money is going toward helping his wife.

 

[Zaxor]

thanks for doing that Hos...

 

[burmafrd]

A friend of mine died a couple of years ago. He was a Class 3 dealer and he had some wonderful old weapons. A BAR with a 4 digit SN; one of the original BRENs, some other ones. His ***** of a sister broke into his house the day after he died and stole them and tried to sell them. The ATF caught her and the guns of course are now in limbo, they were supposed to go to one of his good friends.

 

[ologan]

My grandfather on my mothers side had a number of weapons he had collected over the early years,including a Sharps "Buffalo" rifle,a Colt Peacemaker,a Colt Naval revolver,and various very early Winchester octagon barrel rifles. He was a horse trader,and fought in WW1,where he was mustard gassed in the trenches. When he died,my useless cousin took all the guns and sold them for drug money. I don't know where he is,and haven't since that happened a long time ago. What a waste of a life....and damn fine weapons.

 

[burmafrd]

That happens a lot more than people realize. Too many Relatives are like vultures.

 

[Hostile]

Bill died at 6:15 PM Arizona Time. I just got back from the hospital picking up his personal things and saying my goodbye.

I do have some photos to scan and post. I promise you will like them. I will get to it tomorrow.

The hospital gave me an inventory of his belongings. They didn't indicate he had any money. Just a wallet that had a Visa card. He had quite a bit of money in there. So my wife and I counted it and we put it on the belongings chart. While I was looking through his wallet the first card I pulled out was my business card. It has to be 9 or 10 years old. I can't believe he has kept that card in his wallet all these years.

I had to tell the neighbors before I went down to the hospital to do this. A lot of tears shed. We all genuinely liked this good man.

 

[Illini88228]

Bill died at 6:15 PM Arizona Time. I just got back from the hospital picking up his personal things and saying my goodbye.

I do have some photos to scan and post. I promise you will like them. I will get to it tomorrow.

The hospital gave me an inventory of his belongings. They didn't indicate he had any money. Just a wallet that had a Visa card. He had quite a bit of money in there. So my wife and I counted it and we put it on the belongings chart. While I was looking through his wallet the first card I pulled out was my business card. It has to be 9 or 10 years old. I can't believe he has kept that card in his wallet all these years.

I had to tell the neighbors before I went down to the hospital to do this. A lot of tears shed. We all genuinely liked this good man.

So sorry to hear about your loss. I'm so thankful that I've had the chance to get to know some of the members of that heroic generation; it's sad that my generation will basically be the last to have really had the chance to interact with them. They are a national treasure.

 

[SultanOfSix]

You did a real good thing Hostile.

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the familt friends and loved ones. Having lost my mother a year ago to the day im sure today is very difficult for all.
Bill sounded like a outstanding man and a veteran with no equal.
God bless......

 

[casmith07]

I need to read the off-topic zone more often.

While this was definitely a sad thread to read, it was definitely a good read as well. You're a great man, Hos.

Looking forward to the pictures and other information - it'll be amazing to see.

 

[Hoofbite]

Bill died at 6:15 PM Arizona Time. I just got back from the hospital picking up his personal things and saying my goodbye.

I do have some photos to scan and post. I promise you will like them. I will get to it tomorrow.

The hospital gave me an inventory of his belongings. They didn't indicate he had any money. Just a wallet that had a Visa card. He had quite a bit of money in there. So my wife and I counted it and we put it on the belongings chart. While I was looking through his wallet the first card I pulled out was my business card. It has to be 9 or 10 years old. I can't believe he has kept that card in his wallet all these years.

I had to tell the neighbors before I went down to the hospital to do this. A lot of tears shed. We all genuinely liked this good man.

At times you come off as a hard *** on this forum and we've had some disagreements but from everything you have shared with the board about your personal experiences I can honestly say that you come off as great person that anyone would be fortunate to know.

 

[CliffnDallas]

Thanks and praise ...
For our days ...
Neath the sun ...
Neath the stars ...
Neath the sky ...
As we go ...
This we know ...
God is nigh ...

Taps...

 

[burmafrd]

Forever young, forever free. RIP hero.

 

[Bill Wooten]

Bill died at 6:15 PM Arizona Time. I just got back from the hospital picking up his personal things and saying my goodbye.

I do have some photos to scan and post. I promise you will like them. I will get to it tomorrow.

The hospital gave me an inventory of his belongings. They didn't indicate he had any money. Just a wallet that had a Visa card. He had quite a bit of money in there. So my wife and I counted it and we put it on the belongings chart. While I was looking through his wallet the first card I pulled out was my business card. It has to be 9 or 10 years old. I can't believe he has kept that card in his wallet all these years.

I had to tell the neighbors before I went down to the hospital to do this. A lot of tears shed. We all genuinely liked this good man.

Sorry to hear this. I was hoping he would pull through. You've been a good friend to him.