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Jay Allen sent out a message to some of us yesterday on facebook, and he gave me permission to share, as I know some of you would want to know:
"With a heavy heart I regretfully share some disappointing news for our Walldog family. I was asked to deliver this to as many as I could so we can all address the situation as one sees fit - or is comfortable for you individually.
Bill Riedel, Sr. has cancer and his health is declining rapidly. He will enter hospice to manage his care and pain in the coming weeks. He noticed that after last fall's Walldog meet in Westerly that he wasn't quite right. He'll be 90 this month - so 'not right' seems allowed.
The cancer was found in his liver, prostate and spine (perhaps other places) and the chemo is taking its toll on spirit and energy."
Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
-------------------- Patricia A. Raap Raap Signs 2615 Arthur Coopersville, MI 49404 616-677-0158 pat@raapsigns.com Posts: 574 | From: Coopersville, MI 49404 | Registered: Nov 2003
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I can’t say enough about Bill. He has mentored so many people, not just with signs, but in living an honourable life. What a tremendous roll model, and human being.
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So sorry to hear this news. I met Bill at the original sign museum during the meet at the Cincinnati Zoo. He walked up to me and we started talking and wondered on through the museum together discussing the history of different signs and techniques used to make them.. I didn't know him before that visit to the museum but cherish the memories of that walk through the museum. I ran into him again at the Walldogs meet in Shipshewana a few summers back. It was great seeing him again. Is there an address we can send a card to?
-------------------- Pam Eddy Niles, MI ple@qtm.net Posts: 460 | From: Michigan | Registered: Dec 2000
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I was privileged to spend time with Bill when I was at the USSC conference in early December. He was in good spirits then, although he mentioned his cancer was back. But talk of that was brief as he expressed his gratitude for a life well lived. He is so grateful for his decades as a Letterhead and for the opportunity of travelling and meeting so many great people.
I think we all want to be like Bill when we grow up! He is such a great guy!
Thanks Bill for all you gave us!
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Not the news I wanted to hear, but thanks for letting us know.
I met Bill at Kentucky Lake in 1999, and was actually allowed the opportunity to paint on the same wall with him in Shipshewana(a definite highlight of my life). I admired him the first time we met, and have increased that admiration every time I have seen him since.
Albeit a lofty goal, I too would like to be just like Bill Riedel when I grow up.
Thoughts and prayers headed for New Jersey.
[ February 11, 2018, 07:57 PM: Message edited by: Don Hulsey ]
-------------------- Don Hulsey Strokes by DON signs Utica, KY 270-275-9552 sbdsigns@aol.com
I've always been crazy... but it's kept me from going insane. Posts: 2273 | From: Utica, KY U.S.A. | Registered: Jan 1999
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Thank you Pat and Jay for sharing this. Mr. Bill,is so,loving and talented. HE has certainly lived a full life. How many people do you know who are still active in their field of work into their 80's. Please keep,us posted.
Diane
-------------------- Balch Signs 1045 Raymond Rd Malta, NY 12020 518 885-9899 signs@balchsigns.com http://www.balchsigns.com Posts: 1695 | From: MaltaNY | Registered: Jan 2000
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I had the priveledge of meeting Bill at the Walldogs Jam in Cornwall. I remember him painting the faces of David Butler & Noel Weber on the canoists depicted in the mural.If you go to the past meets window, find the Walldogs Jam meet, and click onto the Noel Weber mural, you'll see a photo of Bill doing his contribution to that mural.
One other rememberance is the location of his old shop truck somewhere in Oklahoma. I believe that it was Monte Jumper who inquired about a sign shop truck that he'd seen, and wanted to find out who & where it came from. As it turned out, Bill & Monte connected through this forum, and before Letterville, that probably wouldn't have ever happened.
A salute to Bill, and his inspiration to many who had the pleasure of meeting him.
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2684 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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I met Bill back in the early 70's when I was an apprentice at a sign shop in New Jersey. Bill happened to visit one day and saw me struggling to learn how to letter signs. He gave me some tips and that really encouraged me. I still remember that day clearly after all these years. Thank you Mr. Bill, that meant a lot to me.
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1265 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Bill, we all love you. You are a quite the charmer and a all around good guy. We hope you can get threw this challenge in life. God bless you Bill!
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3812 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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Bill touches everyone he meets in a positive way. Encased in that little guy is a humble masterpiece who is more than willing to share his fantastic abilities with anyone who asks. I don't remember the first time we met...probably at Cornwall, but on every occasion he has been gracious, uplifting and informative. God bless you Bill. Well done.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Bill, I wish you a safe and pain free journey with your thought filled with remembrances of those that you've loved and the comfort from those of us that love you. Thank you for touching our lives in so many ways and holding up the standard we wish to live by. May we unite at a time in a forever conclave.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6712 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Bill, I've only known you from a distance but feel the connection. I believe in prayer and a positive attitude. Thank you for all of your beautiful work. You've touched a lot of lives.
-------------------- Chuck Peterson Designs San Diego, CA Posts: 1050 | From: San Diego, CA USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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It has been a long time since I have posted here in Letterville. Time just keeps flying by. I have enjoyed meeting and painting murals with Bill several times with the Walldogs over the years. The biggest surprise was one year we were in Plymouth, Wisconsin at a walldog meet and Bill and I were talking. He paused for a minute and asked if he could take my picture. I was slightly embarrassed but said "sure" not knowing why he wanted to do this. Maybe it was his way of remembering everyone I thought. A few months later I get a package in the mail from Bill. I had no idea what in the world he had sent me. I opened it up and it was a portrait he had painted of ME! It was amazing! I was so shocked to have received this gift that I teared up a little. I was able to paint with him one last time in Marshall, Illinois on the same mural and we had a great time. I was in awe of his talent and just enjoyed standing next to him and watching him paint. He was on my bucket list and I am honored to have known him. I will miss him terribly this summer.
-------------------- Steve Luck Sign Magic Inc. 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 (618)466-9120 signmagic@sbcglobal.net Posts: 870 | From: 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 | Registered: Dec 2004
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It's with great sadness that I have to say I have just seen on the Walldog page that Bill has in fact passed.
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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He would have been 90 on friday. He will be missed by many. It was an honor to have known him. The Walldog meets will never be the same. May he Rest in Peace, We love you Bill.
-------------------- Patricia A. Raap Raap Signs 2615 Arthur Coopersville, MI 49404 616-677-0158 pat@raapsigns.com Posts: 574 | From: Coopersville, MI 49404 | Registered: Nov 2003
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Bill Riedel and Billy Graham pass into heaven the same week. Isn't that something.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3812 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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