COUSIN CHERYL REMEMBERS BILL

(I found this memory of Bill in the inbox this afternoon. Thanks, Cheryl.)

I can remember the very first time I met Phil's big brother Bill - they are my cousings (2nd cousins, or once-removed or something like that) and I was probably in 8th or 9th grade, maybe 10th (I remember I had recently got the Rolling Stones "Sticky Fingers" album, so maybe it was the early 80s). Anyway, we had gone to New York to visit for Thanksgiving with the family and Bill (Billy then) lived in Manhattan. Maybe he was in school then, I'm not sure but I remember going with Phil to visit Bill at a Film Center in NY and then to his apartment. I remember thinking, "WOW! HOW COOL!"

Since we lived relatively far away, we didn't often get to see Bill and the family but from time to time, occasion to occasion, I did get to see Bill a few times. On one occasion, when I was living in Brooklyn many years later, I remember that Bill ALWAYS made a point to come over and talk to me; even if it was only a short conversation. I believe that family was important to him. It didn't seem to matter how often you called, or if you kept in touch because even though I didn't get to know him well, and our families didn't get together often, when he did see you, he made it a point to say "hi and how's it going." You were "family" and it seemed to him, anyone who was family was no stranger. What's more he seemed genuinely interested in what you had to say. And he always sent a Christmas card (and a funny one at that!) And, I think that was "WAY COOL" too and it says something about the kind of person Bill was.

Here's to you Bill!
Cheers!
Cousin Cheryl (Zsigalov)