"Hi there, So-and-so here!" (wow, why would he be calling ME?)
"I have some bad news about Bill Mc~...Bill passed away day before yesterday."
AW $#!%!
Bill and his wife bought a waterfront lot on the East Cape some time back in the mid-90's. He was the penny-P-ncher who could get 10 more years out
of that old truck or compressor.
Bill and his wife ran the little country store just down the road from our house. The store might be falling down but he could figure out how to use
duct tape and bailing wire to fix it.
For 3 winters, I ran the store while they hit the road to Baja to their beach lot. They were working on it, had the boat, had a trailer, got a fence,
bit by bit, each winter making it better.
Bill and his wife sold their store 3 years ago and were able to enjoy long winters at their Baja place.
One of my most favorite memories of Bill is-
about 4 years ago there was a local wedding that basically included the whole county. THe wedding invitation was published in the local newspaper and
said if you know the bride or if you know the groom.....come on down!
The wedding was at a home about 3 blocks from the store, so Bill let them store the extra kegS in the store walk-in. I remember hopping in the back
of a pick up with a few others and Bill (all of us were a LITTLE-----a'hem---tipsy) and jamming down to the store to pick up another keg at around
11:30 PM. How Cool Is That?!?
So- Bill loved a little beer(well, maybe not so little...), Loved to fish in Baja and up north, loved to hunt, loved to have a great time and loved
his family and friends.
All we know at this time is that he (quote) "stepped out of the truck and keeled over". And in true Mexican style, he will need to be cremated but
the place in East Cape isn't working and it will take them 2 weeks to get his body to the Yucatan peninsula.
Aw, well, Bill is smiling! More time in BAJA!
His wishes are for half his ashes to be placed in the Sea of Cortez and the other half to a special lake in Washington.
Let's all raise a CHEERS to those who live a full life and die in the place they love!
Think of someone, maybe a BN forum member, maybe not, and raise a toast to the true spirits of Baja. Bill was one of those spirits!
[Edited on 5-2-2010 by BajaNuts]DENNIS - 1-6-2010 at 11:09 PM
DEP, Bill. I'll have a few cold ones in your memory.
Thanks, Nuts.DavidT - 1-6-2010 at 11:12 PM
Here's to Bill.
To live until you die is to live long enough.Pompano - 1-6-2010 at 11:14 PM
Skol, Bill.
Like me, you probably never met a stranger in Baja, just friends you never knew.BajaNuts - 1-7-2010 at 12:06 AM
Thanks, guys.
Meaningful words, and true for so many.....
If anyone would like to share their non-Nomad (or BajaNomad) Baja person story, let's celebrate!fishbuck - 1-7-2010 at 12:23 AM
Sorry to hear about your friend!
BILL WAVING AT EVERYONE
ELINVESTIG8R - 1-7-2010 at 06:20 AM
BajaGringo - 1-7-2010 at 07:07 AM
Rest in peace Bill - if a man is judged by the friends he leaves behind it sounds like you have it made in heaven...Mexicorn - 1-7-2010 at 08:05 AM
See ya on the other side fella-lizard lips - 1-7-2010 at 08:06 AM
RIP Bill. I heard there are some great fishing spots up there as well!wilderone - 1-7-2010 at 09:05 AM
A nice remembrance - Bill, ya done good. Prayers sent to the family.tripledigitken - 1-7-2010 at 09:18 AM
Good friends that care about you, a place to hang your hat in BCS, well done amigo!
RIPDianaT - 1-7-2010 at 09:48 AM
So very well written from the heart. Sounds like he had a very full life. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.wessongroup - 1-7-2010 at 10:29 AM
Thanks you put a smile on my face... hope someone is as kind as you when I go out... very nice, and I'm sure Bill is smiling too...
My best wishes for his wife and family at this difficult time.. and I'm sure your post did a lot tooBajahowodd - 1-7-2010 at 12:21 PM
A true nomad (Baja or not), even in death, he continues his travels. On to the Yucatan and back. Nuts, sounds like you were very fortunate to know
him.fishbuck - 1-7-2010 at 12:47 PM
I would like to make a tribute to another fallen BajaNomad.
My friend Dominic.
I found out last month that Domonic died about 6 months ago.
I hadn't seen him for a while and was trying to reestablish contact.
Dom was a doctor, a psycologist. That's how I met him.
But he was more than just a doctor to me. He was like an uncle or older brother.
He had an office near Orange County airport.
After I got to know him a little he told me he was also a pilot and had a plane. A Cherokee 6 no less.
After I took my 4 month baja tour a few years back I had decided I should look in SanQ for property. I asked Dom if he would fly me to Pedregal in his
plane. He agreed.
Dom had a partner in the plane who also had a place at Puertocitos. So we stopped there first and dropped him off.
We flew over to SanQ and landed at Pedregal.
We stayed at Bill Grandstaff's guest house and had a great time.
I fell in love with the place and met with Rafael Orendain, the developer.
Eventually I cut a deal with Mr Orendain and now I own my little patch of Baja.
Unfortunately, the Cherokee 6 was lost in an accident in Utah. Dom was flying but no one was injured. He lost control of the plane on takeoff on a hot
day at high altitude when fully loaded. When he told me the story I knew right away what he did wrong.
He and the partner bought another plane. A Bonanza.
The partner promptly bent that one in a landing accident but it was repairable.
Neither of those guys was the best pilot I ever saw. I think they both could have used a little more flight instruction.
I was looking for Dominic to see if he wanted to do some more flying.
All the numbers I found were disconnected. I looked in the phone book and there was his name.
I called. His son answered. Same name. He told me his dad had died.
I miss Dominic. He was a great guy and helped me alot including flyng me to Pedregal my first time.
I wish we could go there again together. Wish I hadn't waited so long to try and find him again.
Life is short. Never pass up a fishing trip or flying trip or whatever it is that you love on this planet.
Here's to you Dominic and Bill.DENNIS - 1-7-2010 at 01:33 PM
Sorry to hear that, Mike. I'll toss back a few for Dom as well.
DEP Dom.fishbuck - 1-7-2010 at 02:07 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Sorry to hear that, Mike. I'll toss back a few for Dom as well.
DEP Dom.
Thanks Dennis!
It drives me a little nuts whenever I pass the La Buf road and I don't have time to find you to share a cold one.
Next trip I'll make the time!BajaNuts - 1-7-2010 at 10:54 PM
Bill is just one of so many Baja wandering spirits. He's a personality!
You kind of have to be to enjoy Baja!
Thanks for the thoughts for the family. Many families deal with death every day. Others in Baja have had to deal with death of a loved one, also.
They have good friends in their area. Bill will be taken care of. And in the spring when family returns north, we'll have one helluva bonfire
celebration for a great friend.
I'm happy to share the story of a total Baja nut who went out the way he would have wanted it. He was one of those crusty old farts who would give
you the shirt off his back and then find a way to make a dollar out of the belt you give him as thanks.
thanks FB for your story.
from DavidT-
To live until you die is to live long enough.
Kindred Spirits.....Skipjack Joe - 1-7-2010 at 11:07 PM
Much sad news today. My condolences for both individuals. Hope for happier days ahead.CaboMagic - 1-8-2010 at 10:46 AM
Oh dear ... again please accept and extend our sincere condolences ..
May the caring expressed here provide comfort to those in need.David K - 1-8-2010 at 04:29 PM
Same from this household... Vaya Con Dios!
Only Simple Thoughts
Gypsy Jan - 1-8-2010 at 10:42 PM
I grieve for a good person gone, but applaud the good people who remember.BajaNuts - 5-2-2010 at 12:31 PM
Update- May 2, 2010
Bill is almost all the way home. Half of his ashes were given to the Sea of Cortez and the rest will soon be at his special lake in Washington.
We had a celebration yesterday with friends and family. Beautiful weather and many good stories. I'll be sharing this post with Mrs. Bill. Thanks
for everyone's well wishes for the family.irenemm - 5-2-2010 at 11:15 PM
I am glad that Mr. Bill is almost all the way home. To Mrs. Bill I am sorry for your loss.
