Crazy Bill Douglas

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The Memorial Service for Bill Douglas is today, Thursday April 4, and we truly do not want to go. Not because we don’t want to help support the family and friends of Bill, but because the world is not better off without Bill.

Bill had a surprising life of the army, a policeman, Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology, farming, and teaching. Bill spent time in Mexico and loved going to Native American feasts and dances. But Bill was most in love with the sea and air – aside from his wife Barbara, the kids and grandkids.

What I remember about Crazy Bill is his distinctive laugh at 5am – getting the balloon ready – and his furry Russian hat with flaps. Bill and his co-pilot Frank Bacon were in many ways opposites but they had one thing in common, safety. I also remember Bill yelling at a police horse when we couldn’t get to Frank and his passengers in the balloon due to a fight emergency where people died. But we were OK.

Bill was 84 and he was married to Barbara for 59 years. He is also survived by daughters Dianna and Angie and son Brian (Skip). His grandkids are Kalynn, David, and Meredith. Bill is also survived by many friends and extended family who loved him.

In the last months of his life the spark had gone out in his eyes. Crazy Bill will be missed.

Barbe Awalt