Ann Louise Williams

He never spoke of being ill, but when he stopped writing I knew something was wrong. I still have moments when I can't believe it.  He was such an integral part of the core group of contributers, so I miss him.  Of course, his wife Kathy and son Sean, and the 3 grandkids miss him much more, and I'm so sorry for the grief they're feeling.  He always looked so good-natured in the photos he posted.  And of course, he took us on Hank's journey for so many years, and we became so invested in him. Bill was such a good soul, and a good person.  His passing affects us all.

Paula Pletcher (DiLuigi)

I am still processing the fact that I will no longer be able to read Bill’s postings on the website.  Bill joined the website early on, and from the very beginning, he was always our biggest contributor.    He was so good in keeping the conversation going, and I so appreciated his contributions.  He was instrumental in keeping the website going.  As you said, Ann, he was such an integral part of the core group of contributors and his absence will be leaving a great big void. 

I still have not been able to get any more information from his family members.  I’m sure it’s been a really difficult time for all of them.  I wish all of them peace and comfort.  I’m hoping in time we may find out what happened.  I guess I just hope that whatever happened, he didn't have to suffer.  

So Bill.......thanks for all that you did for the SAV Class of 1966!   RIP, dear friend.    

Linda Luce (Ferdinand)

My first comment I added regarding the passing of Bill was truly from the heart.  At this time, I too am still having such a hard time processing the news. Every morning when I read my email I start to get teary eyed knowing that he will not be posting anything on the web site.  I noticed that not a lot of posts regarding the news are coming in.

I was just thinking, yesterday, that maybe by everyone posting their thoughts or their memories of Bill, either funny or sad, will help all of us get through this together.  Maybe it will give us the closure that we need to know he will not be returning. And just maybe a laugh or two. Let this be our Celebration of Life for him!

Larry James Wright

Paula Pletcher (DiLuigi)

I was able to find an Instagram page about Hank and am posting something that was posted 6 days ago.  If you have an Instagram account, you can follow Hank's progress.  The page belongs to Allie Carpenter (Bill's Daughter-in-law). 

Sharon Thacker (Hayworth)

Thanks Paula!  I am so glad there is a place we can get updates on how Hank is doing.

Michael McMahan

I've been traveling outside the USA  and doing so already with a sense of hurt as our country and the world is in such turmoil and this is not the world I'd like to leave for my family and younger generations. Not how I saw things those many years ago in 66 graduating from Valley and diving from the nest. So Bill's passing both stunned me and went with me as a sorrow. But here's the fact- here is someone who I barely knew but let open his life to share what he had become and became closer to many of us then he had ever been. A gift of memories, good memories, of a caring and kind person. That is wonderful gift that I read all of your appreciation for. Dusty's glimpse at Bill Carpenter as the Romeo of Newport Beach was great, brings me back to how we loved the beach, the tan life, and our newfound freedom . But Bill really settled into a good life and one could not ask for a better grandfather . But here's shared it all with us and so even if he's gone, he's not gone and I will be less sad for his letting us see the pieces of his life he did. You might be expectinga quote here from Rene Descartes or Karl Marx but you'll get Leonard Nimoy- 

Paula Pletcher (DiLuigi)

Mike, I agree with what you said about the gift that Bill gave us.  I’ve often felt that way since the website started, that I’ve gotten know so many classmates better, and some of those were people I hardly knew back in high school.  What a gift that is.    It’s like we were given a second chance.     

Bill was special, and I thank him for his many contributions and sharing so much of himself. 

Linda Luce (Ferdinand)

It is so hard to accept that Bill has passed away one month ago today.  Our time flies by so fast.  RIP Bill

Ann Louise Williams

Mike, I like what you wrote.  And to Paula and Linda, I agree with both of you.  Time does seem to pass by so much faster as we keep getting older!  And Paula, it does seem we've been given this 2nd chance to get to know each other again after all these years! AND to get to know people we never even knew in highschool - I mean, who could have foreseen it!  It's like a gift, and I'm so thankful for it!

I found Allie Carpenter's Instagram account 'team-hank-tank', and there are 190 entries, so I'm taking my time going through them.  So we can still keep up to date regarding poor little Hank, and I do feel sorry for this child!  To think that he was only two and a half when he was diagnosed, and he turned seven last February 2nd!  Fate dealt him a major misfortune - many other children (as we all know) are going through this too.  Life isn't fair - my fraternal grandmother apparently said that whenever one of her 9 children ran to her to complain that something or other 'Wasn't FAIR!'  People whose children are healthy (also grandchildren!) should count their blessings!

And Mike, I appreciated the list you posted from David Attenborough.  When all of us were having childhoods in the 1950's, my Father often remarked that more advancements had happened in the previous 50 years, than in all the years that had come before.  But if so, since then everything has snowballed exponentially and I expect it will continue - you all agree?

And so, I'll close with another nod to our beloved Bill Carpenter - thankful to have known him - we all are, I know.