I still can’t believe that such a wonderful friend in gone! Bill and I became friends right from the start. I contacted Bill when I first began searching for a diamond to put in a custom made setting that Mark Morrell and I were working on. Bill gave me my gemological education on what to look for and what to avoid in selecting a “pet rock”. He was absolutely the most unselfish and giving person that I have ever had the pleasure to know!
My confidence in Bill and his abilities actually led me to ask him to select my stone for me. Who could possibly do a better job at this then Bill? I told him the size stone that I was looking for and asked him to go out and search for the perfect “pet rock”. Bill was absolutely delighted to do this very large favor for me. Before long he selected a stone for me and I had it sent to him for analysis. Bill was so very excited about this project that I was working on with Mark Morrell that he immediately worked well into the night the very day that he received the stone. I had a very full email box with the results of his work. We went over all the reports together on the phone that night and I told Bill that you have all my confidences and trust and to finish the job you started and to go ahead with the stone. He did! I must say he did one fine job in his selection. He new from reading the reports and analyzing some pictures before I even had the stone sent to him that this particular stone was it.
He asked me then where did I want the stone to be sent. I told him if he did not mind to please hang on to it for me until Mark was ready with my setting. He said that would be absolutely fine with him. About a month later Mark was ready for the stone to be sent to him. Strangely enough until this time both Bill and Mark had never worked together on a project or even spoke to one another by phone. So, I sort of introduced the two of them for the first time with my project. Each one of course new of the others fine work but never worked together until this time. Both were very excited about the project and worked very well together to make my ring a really beautiful piece. I think it took on a little extra special meaning to both because it was a gentlemen’s ring that they were working on this time. When Bill and I would talk right up until his sudden passing he would still say how greatful he was that I got him together with Mark. They worked together after that on other projects and became fast friends.
Bill new that I was worried about insuring my new ring as quickly as possible and that I needed a very good appraisal for this. Well as anyone that new Bill and anything about his appraisals they were extremely long, detailed and consisted of at least 30 pages. A beautiful work in itself. Now one of Bill’s appraisals as some folks know could take several months or longer to complete. But in true Bill fashion he moved me up to the front of the line so that I would be able to get insured as soon as possible. This was not something that he had to do but truly wanted to do. I remember asking him how my new ring looked because I still had not physically seen it ----- only pictures at that point. He took the time to describe it detail over the phone to me as he held it in his hand.
Our friendship continued long after the completion of my ring. Bill would just pickup the phone and call me anytime of the day or night just to see how I was getting along and I would often do the same with him. We had many things in common including the problems he had with his aunt. I to have a relative that I help take care of with the same illness. We would talk to each other over the years and compare notes on this subject as well as other interests.
He asked me to come down and see him in Florida several times. He wanted me to see how he performed his work on analyzing “pet rocks”. He was very interested in showing me how to do this. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it to Florida in time. .
I only wish that there were more genuine and caring people like you (Bill) in this world. You were and are a very good friend to me and I cannot Thank You enough for all that you did for me. Every time that I look down at my “pet rock” I will think of you!
I will miss you my friend! Until we meet again!