By now, most have heard that William the Coroner has left this mortal coil. Others have posted their thoughts; some were closer to William, some not. All felt a profound and real sense of loss, even though many of them never met William in person (although some had). His intelligence, wit, and dry humor will be sorely missed. I met William at the NRA convention in Pittsburgh earlier this year, and was privileged to have dinner with him at the SAF banquet and after"-party" at Lidia's. He was equally at ease chatting about firearms, medicine, cats, or science fiction. A look at his blog yields syllabi that I can barely comprehend; puns based on Science Fiction; his trademarked "Sappy cat blogging" and many other assorted posts.
It's a testament to our electronic age that a shaved head biker gun nut in Massachusetts would be mourning a college professor in OH. We're no longer limited by mere geography in our circle of friends or our tribe; we can make friends literally all over the world by following common interests. Just this past weekend I was fortunate enough to meet up with someone that had read my blog and asked about going shooting; I'll routinely get e-mails from all over the place from folks asking my perspective. In the case of William, though, this new closeness has a different, sadder side - we're more open to loss, and hurt, and sorrow.
Rest in peace, William. You were taken from us too soon; our tribe far poorer for your loss. You will be missed, greatly, by all who knew you.
That is all.
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7 comments:
I've said this other places, but I think also saying here will tie int to your post:
I never met William. But from what I have read from everyone writing about him, I know that when I meet him I will call him friend.
I'm in the same boat as North. I didn't even know about William till I saw a post yesterday mentioning his death.
After hopping over and reading through his blog it felt like a blow right to the gut. Though I had never actually met him, through the statements of others as well reading his blog it is obvious the world has lost someone I would have been proud to call a friend.
For that it is a shame, not just for the people who knew him, but the people would would have loved to know him as well.
Yes but Jay, the more you open yourself up to loss and hurt and sorrow, the more you open yourself up to new opportunities for joy and discovery at new friendships you would otherwise not had. I personally think it is well worth the risk.
I had been reading WtC for a few years and even though I have never had the pleasure of meeting him in meatspace, I got to know some about him and learn from him. Not saying his loss is pleasurable, but that I am a better person for having known him in my own little way.
I've said this elsewhere, but those of us up here on the North Coast who can attend will be remembering and honoring our friend Friday Night after the Services at a place he liked to come and visit with us. Wish you all could be here.
Damn. He was just a youngster, but his writing showed a wisdom I expected from someone much older in experience, although his wit was definitley from someone young in spirit.
I was especially proud of him for being a very smart Ohioan.
Les, please raise one in his honor from all of us expat Buckeyes.
I've been trying to pick the right way to say it, and both you and Breda did a far better job articulating than I did.
He was of our tribe, and I miss him ever so already.
When we meet again, we'll have so much to tell each other.
Indeed, the blog world and the real world are poorer for his loss. I'm another one who only read his words and smiled at his "sappy cat blogging," never met him in person, but who misses him already. It says a great deal about William that so many people are paying him tribute.
It also says a lot that his family has asked for donations to Heifer International in his memory. A worthy cause indeed.
LittleRed1
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