I worked with Bill’s mother, Margaret, at the VA in the mid to late seventies.
She related that Bill had been in the Army and stationed in Germany for several years. After returning to the Bay Area, Bill reportedly had accidentally fallen off a boat in Sausalito and drowned. I have always given little credence to this as I remember swimming across Lake Laguinita with Bill on numerous occasions. Bill was quite an accomplished swimmer and on a good day I think Bill could have swum across the Golden Gate channel. The story has never made much sense to me.
Lacking any other information I hesitate to venture more. Mike Couch was closer to Bill and Margaret than I; possibly he can add to this. I have no idea what Bill did before the Army stint. I talked to Tom Richards who served time with Bill in Germany; perhaps he can add some as well
16 april 09
i had breakfast this morning with jeff gardiner who said that we should reactivate bill. he reminded me that bill's body was never located and that gary snider is a great believer that bill had mob connections and problems so he went on the lam and created a whole new identity and life for himself. i guess we can hope...
