From Liz Deese

From Liz Deese---

I am saddened by this news.  I have read some of the blogs on and off.  What really stands out is Bill's enduring sense of humor;  even in the midst of such profound suffering, there were sparks of Bill's delightfully quirky, ironic humor. 

I recall the many family-and-friends (Deese-Rothe, Barnes, Banks) Thanksgiving gatherings in Claremont from so many, many years ago, and always, Bill provided much fodder for laughter, either with his wildly funny (and often profound) observations and commentary or with his antics.

Embedded in Bill's humor was a broad-reaching understanding--- intelligent and deep.

And I still remember his fried green tomatoes he made every year, and the salad dressing he concocted when he was going through his "Lecethin" phase.  

It is a gift indeed when someone dies and leaves all those who knew him smiling. 

(Note from Arlene. Bill knew Liz from the time she was a young teen and he was one of her father's psych graduate students at Johns Hopkins, 1964-68. Later Liz attended Pomona, and she and her Claremont family spent much time together with our family.)