2011 has barely started but continues to present significant life-challenges to long-time posters on this board.

DrifterWA lost his beloved wife this morning to what many of you know has been a prolonged illness.

Your supportive thoughts AND actions are appreciated.

Much love, Bill.

Bill,

That's terrible.

Sorry about your loss...

I'm at a loss of words, keep your head up!

Keith

Our Condolences

DifterWA, so sorry for your loss!

Very, very sorry, DrifterWA.

Sorry to hear. Thoughts go out to you and your family Drifter...

Sorry to hear DrifterWA my prayers go out to you and your family

Sincerest Condolences during this difficult time Drifter.

Please accept our heartfelt best wishes to you and the family.

My heart goes out to you and your family Bill.

So sorry to hear that DrifterWA.

Condolences to you and all of yours.

Thanks so much for your comments......


1963 - 2011, the love of my life, passed away this morning, at our home......Cancer is such a terrible thing, she was been such a fighter for the past 3 1/2 years.....lot's of chemo, then we spent 4 months at the Pete Gross House and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, there a "bone marrow transplant" using cord blood was done.......completely cured for over 5 months, when the transplant failed.......since then, different kinds of chemo....none worked, so that was stopped.........She went to bed about normal time......died early this morning......at least she didn't suffer or have months of pain........

She is in a better place............

I'm very sorry for your loss, Bill...seems weird to have an "internet family", but you do here...my thoughts are with you tonight.

Fish on...

Todd

Sorry for your loss.

So sorry to hear this, Bill.

DrifterWA - So sorry to hear. You're in my thoughts.

DrifterWA, so sorry for your loss. My sincerest condolences to you.

Sg

Sorry Drifter. Hang in there.

Saddened to hear the news Drifter, Fishgal & I will be thinking of ya!

Bill, thoughts and prayers to you in this difficult time.

Sorry to hear that! I wish you the best!

Speechless Bill. Will be e-mailing you shortly.

You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

I find the following thought can be helpful....

“When you remember me, it means that you carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart. For as long as you remember me, I am never entirely forgotten.” - Buechner

Sorry for your loss...

Sad to hear about your loss DrifterWA. My condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are also with you my friend.

Captain

Sorry to hear of your loss, and best wishes...

DrifterWa, you and your family are in our prayers.......Peace

sorry to hear of your loss, your in our thoughts and prayers, hang in there.

DrifterWA, you and your family are in the fp household prayers.

fp

So sorry for your loss

Bill sorry to hear of your loss, tight lines.

Drifter,

Sorry for your loss. You and the family will be in our thoughts.

Ryan

Very sorry to hear this.

God be with you in your time of loss, prayers offered for you and your family.

Ducker!

truly sorry.

Sorry for your loss Bill...

so sorry bill, thoughts are with you.

So sorry for your loss, Bill.

I feel sick...very sorry for you and your family!

Sorry for your loss.
SZ

Condolences

Sorry for your loss Drifter, my wife is the same age and wears the purple shirts at Relay for Life gatherings.

Very sad--sorry for your loss.

So sorry to hear this Bill...please know there is support around you. My condolences to you and your family.

CM

Sincerest Condolences. I lost my mother to cancer in 2002. Our prayers are with you. As you said....she is in a better place.

Sorry to hear. When the time's right, being on the water helps a fisherman put things like that in perspective.

Deepest condolences, Drifter. Take solace knowing she is in a better place without pain and suffering.

Very sorry Mr. O......I wish you the best through these tough times. I just lost my Grandfather to the same battle. Never an easy situation. Hang in there Bill......Keith. 98 Weatherwax

Sorry to hear of your loss.

So sorry to hear this. I am just one year younger.

Prayers said...

Very sorry Drifter and my condolences. I will keep you and your wife in my prayers.

Sorry for your loss!!!

Sorry for your loss DrifterWA, as you know our family has been going thru some hard times too. It must be very difficult to lose your soul mate.

Steve

Thanks so much for all the nice comments........I have read them all..


Barb is in a better place,.......no more needles, or pills, or tranfusions.... no more chemo drugs..... no more laying in hospital beds...

The kindness of board members is so very nice.....

My sons, thier wifes, my 4 grand children all want to say "thanks".

Bill

Thoughts are with you and your family at these times.

Your family is in our prayers.

Sorry for your loss, my family will keep yours in our prayers.

My heartfelt condolences. May you and your family find peace soon.

Really puts a hole in your heart to lose someone near and dear to the "Big C." The love and compassion you had for your wife is clearly evident in your replies on this thread. Best wishes to you and your family.

She was way too young, Bill.
I am sorry for your loss.
Prayers en route.

Sorry for your loss, Drifter. I lost my best friend to tongue cancer. By far, the hardest thing I've had to witness.

Death is such an impossible feeling to comprehend especially when it happens so close to you. I lost my steelheading hero (my father) and it was very difficult to accept. I think about him every day but I can tell you that time has a way of tyding things up. I don't know you but feel for you. Hang in there and be supportive for your family. Maybe someday you will both look back at it as a memory.

Sorry for your loss Bill.

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

This is s sad to hear. Prayers be with you bud.

Very sorry to hear of your loss. Take care of yourself..

Bill, Our thoughts a prayers to you and your loved ones. call me anytime, thinking about you . Bob

Thanks, again for all the kind thoughts


My 2 sons lost a great mother, my 2 daughter in laws, lost a lady that was welling to help, to share thoughts and ideas, my 4 grand kids lost a grandmother that so loved each of them.....my g/f, then wife of more than 48 years, the very rock of my foundation, is now in "that better place", no more pain and suffering.


Barbara "Barb" ..... 8/31/1940 ---- 1/09/2011....rest in Peace!!!!!!!

Very sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

My prayers are with you and your family.

WOW.

I just can't imagine the pain. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

What a beautiful memorial service today for Bill's departed Barbara. The rains abated and the clouds parted to reveal the blue heavens. A finer stage could not be set for a final farewell and celebration of the remarkable life of a woman and the loving family she leaves behind... delivered with a bit of light priestly humor.

It was the first funeral I've attended in four years... and a bit overwhelming to be immersed in the presence of God after becoming "disenchanted" many years ago. No surprise that the most moving part of the service (at least for this red-necked Ornamental) would come in the form of a country song I've heard a hundred times before. Listening intently to the lyrics on this solemn occasion really left a lump in my throat. The words really spoke to me, as I'm sure they did to anyone else actually listening. I will be reminded of Bill and Barb EVERY time I hear it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCvgXw-Bh04&ob=av2el

Why did she have to go
So young I just don't know why
Things happen half the time
Without reason without rhyme
Lovely, sweet young woman
Daughter, wife and mother
Makes no sense to me
I just have to believe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and past where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me

Loved ones she left behind
Just trying to survive
And understand the why
Feeling so lost inside
Anger shot straight at God
Then asking for His love
Empty with disbelief
Just hoping that maybe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and past where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me

It's hard to say goodbye
Her picture in my mind
Will always be of times I'll cherish
And I won't cry 'cause

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying

Don't worry 'bout me
Don't worry 'bout me
Don`t worry 'bout me

Bill, from all the responses on this thread it should be obvious that you have the support of many people amongst our Piscatorial brotherhood (yeah that technically includes Aunty and ltf365, too) that are pulling for you. Hope to see you back in the swing of things as the rivers come back into shape. It's what Barb would want for you. Until then, the water waits.

Take care and God Bless!

My Condolences.

Mf

its too hard to say anything following eyeFISH...he has way better words then i can ever put in writing...but our thoughts are with you and your family, you know we are here for ya

Doc:

Again many thanks for starting this thread.....all the response have been read, both by me and my 2 sons.

It really was special to see you both in the church and the "get together" afterward.

Thanks so much for the comments "on the song".....normally the Catholic Church doesn't allow, "outside" music but Father Dave listen to it and was moved, so it was allowed into the service. I, myself, had not heard the song until last week....was channel surfing, and ended up of the Western channel......I just knew this song was so appropriate, both for me and my 2 sons.

It's been a long 2 weeks, since Barb died.....now is the time for "closure to begin"....

zoooooooom as the jetboat, will again be in action !!!!!!!!!

Atta boy Bill!

Bill I'm very sorry , I know the last few years have been tuff the kids and I will say a pray for you and Mike take care Ralph

Sorry for your loss. I'm sure you are celebrating her life in our world, and will remember her in all the beauty that still exists. The pain of loosing a loved one is a testiment to the love that you hold together.

A favorite country song "Remember When" was playing in my operating room a couple days ago. Alan Jackson's understated delivery makes for ballads that really touch the heart and soul of the listener... in ways that simply defy words.

Music has an inexplicable power to take a guy back in space and time, and nothing does it better than a country ballad. Earlier today, another AJ ballad playing on the radio stopped me in my tracks.





As another stormy January is about to be ushered out the door, I can't help but "remember when".... and my thoughts are with my friend Bill. Luv ya, man.

Doc......

Many thanks for remembering....... I'm sure Barb is looking down, time goes by to fast.....7+ years already

Barb definitely the perfect wife, a great mother, awesome home maker...I was indeed a lucky guy to meet that girl from Custer South Dakota while Seattle World Fair was going......married in 1963, 48 wonderful years.....best part not many conflicts in those years.

I cry............Thanks again for the memories!!!!!!!!!!!

Remembering 10 years later...

"Don't worry 'bout me...."

Very sorry for the loss of your wife Drifter WA. You and her are in my prayers.

Eternal rest grant on to her oh lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all of the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

I'm sorry to read this. You and your family are in my thoughts.

Fish on...

Todd

01/11/2021

Thanks Doc......10 years has gone by quickly, Barb is missed......at least she got to see 4 of her 5 grand kids, she would have been such a great grand mother, I'm sure she is watching as they grow.

Bill