We lost one of our own today - Rhodeside Wed 7/9 in his Honor - Update

[twolanefun]

I do not have much to offer. I talked to his ex-wife, Christina and his sister, Cheryl Jones. His two sons are flying into town to take care of things, arrived yesterday. (BTW one of his sons owns a monster, Bill retrieved it several years ago, rode it down to the Springfield Mile, met John Bowman and I, then rode it back to Virginia with us) They have my contact info and promised that someone would be in touch, I told them both that Bill was a part of our motorcycle family and that we wanted to help in anyway we could. I have not called them out of respect, since I figure they have a lot to deal with and will call me when they can. Bill was from Massachuttes and I had feared that arrangements would be made there. His sister assured me that things would be taken care of in Virginia, that the family understood he was a part of that community and all his friends were here. As soon as I know more about arrangements I will let everyone know. I will also approach his sons to see if there is a Charity or something we can send donations to. Bill sang in his church choir which had been
selected to go overseas and sing, I do not remember where but perhaps we could donate to defer costs, that way Bill would be there in spirit - just thinking
out loud. I have been monitoring all your kind words and that has helped me personally and I know that Bill has been watching and smiling as well - assuming
he found an internet connection up there. Chris Edwards, MAD Club came up with a great idea and implemented it very quickly, he has taken all of your kind notes and made it part of Bill's Bio on the club site - Thanks so much Chris and to the members who have had nice things to say. Isn't it amazing Bill touched so many lives and was not just another face in the crowd. Nora and I went to the accident scene yesterday, (Rt. 611 northbound coming into St. Louis) we rode the Victory Sportcruiser, with our matching gear. Bill was always impressed with the bike and our matching gear, and in fact once he rode mine he had to have one, which is what he was riding on his way to meet us on Sunday. Bill and I ( and Nora most times) always had great rides together on our Sportcruisers - taking nothing away from our rides together on the monsters. Nora brought some flowers to put down for Bill, she is such a kind person - I would never have thought of it. We surveyed the scene and talked to the owner of the house where Bill took his last breath in his front yard, his name is Dave. Dave said that Bill was wearing all his gear and that the EMCs that were attending to Bill took off all his clothes and there were no cuts, bruises etc.. and that for sure it must have been his heart that gave out. The guy following behind Bill said he had slowed down to
maybe 30-35 MPH and one of the neighbors said it looked like Bill was trying to pull into Dave's driveway. Having looked at the scene it would appear to me that Bill had a soft landing, hitting nothing but grass, and the distance was very short maybe 40' in the grass from the marks left by the bike. Maybe this is too much information but I just wanted everyone to know that it looks like it was a medical not rider error. I also talked to the Trooper yesterday that worked the accident scene, Officer Pieper, he said it occurred at 10:00 AM. Thanks again for all your kind words about Bill and the phone calls to me, it means a lot. - Gene

This is the toughest thing I've had to do in a long while. Bill Bowen was killed today riding his motorcycle. He was on his way to meet Nora and I in Lovetsville so we could ride up to the races at Frederick. Based on the discussion I had with the state trooper, who called me from Bill's cell phone to ask me to come and identify the body, it would appear there may have been a medical condition involved, he was on a straight road and a witness said it looked like Bill slumped over before leaving the roadway. I have no further details, I have family contact info and will try and find out more info and will let you know when I do. Bill was a personal friend, he was also a great guy, a careful and safe rider, and a great member of this motorcycle community. I intend to dedicate the MAD President's choice ride next weekend in his honor - more info to follow. Bill was the guy who first started our Wed. night meet-ups. I think this Wed. night should be dedicated to Bill, I know he would have liked that and hope that all of you will come out for that, I have laos invoted the MAD club since Bill was a MAD member. I don't know what else to say except this world and the motorcycling community lost a great person today. - Gene

[dolci]

Gene - there are no words.

[Ducatista]

I met Bill for the first time at the picnic at the end of April in 2006, when I first got involved in the Ducati community.  He was always the first to volunteer to lend a helping hand whenever anyone or the group needed it.  That is the thing that sticks out in my mind.  He would always put up his hand when it came to organizing social events.  Even though he lived such a good hike out in the hills, he would make it to Rhodeside pretty often to join us in some tire kicking and laughs.  He was so selfless in everything.  He was always there to lift people's spirits when going through tough times. 

His passing will be an enormous loss to the group. 

Unfortunately, duty calls and I will be out of town again this week.  I wish I could have been there. 

[zooom]

I'll be there...

[Slide Panda]

This is sad news.  Bill was a great guy and always one of the first guys to chat up any new faces.  

I'll be back in town Tuesday, so I'll be there Wed.

RIP Bill

[Stillie]

I will be there. I'm borrowing a Ducati so I can ride in his honor.

[Duc and Cover]

Bill was the first CAMer to greet me as I arrived at Rhodeside grill for my first meetup last year. He was always a pleasure to ride with and to have a beer with. We've been dealt a great loss today. I know he was a huge supporter of continual lifetime education about safe riding, and I'm sure he has a saved more than a few lives by passing that ideal on to fellow riders. Gene, please send our condolences to the family.

R.I.P. Bill

I'll see you all at Rhodeside

[FatguyRacer]

My story is almost the same as Emiliy's. I met Bill at the BBQ in 2006.  The last time I saw Bill was at Rhodeside after he sold Fire and Ice. We did a duet of the Blues Brothers "Hey Bartender" at Karaoke. Bill was a great guy and funny as hell. This news saddens me deeply. My condolences to Bills family and friends. I will be there on Wednesday to hoist one in his honor.

[desmo_drum]

Holy crap 

I also met Bill at the BBQ in 2006. First class guy, he laughed at my helmet ears and seemed to like them. wow

R.I.P. Bill.

[slowpoke13]

Holy Shit.

Can't do it there, but I will hoist one in memory Wednesday night.

Bye Bill.

[ducpenguin]

My condolences to everyone...Gene, please pass on my thoughts and prayers to his family.  If there is anything we/I can do...please do not hesitate to ask.

[topspin_flyer]

Very sad news to hear.  I didn't know him very well but I did have the pleasure of chatting with him a few times and he was a very cool guy, and very cool to me.  I will be there Wednesday to remember Bill among common friends.

[Pavrock]

RIP Bill

I will be at Rhodeside to lift one for him.

[D.]

Gene - there are no words.

Amen to that. I will be there.

[Geaux]

We're in.
RIP Bill