Bill and I became fast friends when we met in 7th grade and remained so till the end of his life. Early on we discovered a shared love of reading, particularly (but not exclusively) mystery/suspense fiction, that led to us often spend an occasional day roaming near and far searching for and finding used-book stores. Thanks in no small part to Mr. Silvestri's emphasis on it in 8th-grade English, vocabulary became an abiding interest for both of us that carried well into adulthood.
Married twice, Bill had two children, a boy and a girl, by his first wife Connie. He eventually moved to Marietta, Georgia, where he met and married his second wife Patty. A psychologist, he was the director of a facility for persons with special needs.
Bill died, suddenly and unforeseeably, three days before his 41st birthday.
We had plenty of laughs and good times, of course. but each of us could always count on the other for a sympathetic ear and objective feedback if he needed to talk something out in a time of stress or anxiety. Even now, 27 years later, I still have moments when, after something good or bad happens, that I think, I have to tell Bill about this, followed by the rueful recognition that I can't.
Barry Ergang
Bill and I became fast friends when we met in 7th grade and remained so till the end of his life. Early on we discovered a shared love of reading, particularly (but not exclusively) mystery/suspense fiction, that led to us often spend an occasional day roaming near and far searching for and finding used-book stores. Thanks in no small part to Mr. Silvestri's emphasis on it in 8th-grade English, vocabulary became an abiding interest for both of us that carried well into adulthood.
Married twice, Bill had two children, a boy and a girl, by his first wife Connie. He eventually moved to Marietta, Georgia, where he met and married his second wife Patty. A psychologist, he was the director of a facility for persons with special needs.
Bill died, suddenly and unforeseeably, three days before his 41st birthday.
We had plenty of laughs and good times, of course. but each of us could always count on the other for a sympathetic ear and objective feedback if he needed to talk something out in a time of stress or anxiety. Even now, 27 years later, I still have moments when, after something good or bad happens, that I think, I have to tell Bill about this, followed by the rueful recognition that I can't.
Betsy Craig (Hills)
Barry, that was an awesome tribute to Bill.
Michael Muderick
I remember well the strong friendship you guys had. A difficult loss.
Linda Keiser (Peters)
Thank you, Bill, for these wonderful memories.
Debbie Klingler (Wolfe)
Thank you, Barry, for your poignant remembrance of Bill.Barry Ergang
Thanks, Betsy, Mike, Linda and Debbie. Bill was one of the good guys and, like far too many of our classmates, died much too young.