Captain Billy provided the opportunity for so many to fulfill their dreams of following in the footsteps of their fathers, grandfathers, and uncles, who had taken part in the WWII invasions of Attu and Kiska, as well as providing this opportunity to adventurous history buffs from all over the globe. His skill as a sailor of the Aleutians was unsurpassed and is why this expedition is so challenging to continue without him. Thank you sir, for the amazing memories, in particular while we were 10 miles off the coast of Kiska harbor honoring the men of the USS Grunion SS-216. Captain Billy would bring us to the site based on GPS location recorded from the loss. He would then cut the engine and we would toss a hand made wreath from the island flowers overboard. On one particular expedition, when I played TAPS, a massive sperm whale surfaced while auklets flew overhead. It was as if we had a "submarine" surface in tribute as well as a US Navy fly over overhead. It is with that memory I likewise send tribute to Captain Billy on behalf of myself, and passengers who adventured with Karen and I on these Valor Tour expeditions. A flyover salute to you as well, Captain Billy!
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2016, Kiska Island, Alaska, USA
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A terrific sailor. I was hoping to get in on another expedition with Bill. An all-around great guy.
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2017, Umnak Island, Alaska, USA
Sporting a bow tie for our Poetry at Sea night during the Aleutian History Expedition
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Captain Billy Choate or as I called him, Captain Q, was not only our boat Captain for the Aleutian History Expeditions, he was an inspirational human and my friend. His calm demeanor at sea was always soothing to myself and our tour goers. In rough water, he remained undisturbed, I can remember several instances when the rest of us were barely keeping our stomachs down and dishes were crashing onto the floor of the galley causing our chef extraordinaire, Nicole (Puddin Pants) to swear loudly, Billy at the helm, sat there serenely and ate his dinner without a care in the world. Nothing he had not see before.
Captain was 71 when I met him in 2016. I was always in awe of his zest for life and his quiet way of going about it. During random times of the year when we’d talk, he’d be busy roller blading, cross country skiing, hiking or playing granddad to the light of his life, his granddaughter, Sienna. He handled his diagnosis and treatments admirably. We spoke several times this year and I am so happy we did, "Good to hear you." he'd always say. I can hear his voice clear as day, a voice that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
I will share one of my favorite photos of Billy at the helm. I believe we were prepping for our Summer Solstice party on the deck of his beloved boat, the M/V Puk Uk, while just off shore of Umnak Island in 2017. He was always up for anything we wanted to do, as crazy as it was, including these ridiculous bow ties we make everyone where during our Old Salt cocktail/poem reading party; this old Bering Sea crab fisherman was a lover of poetry and all things arts. Billy was one of the few who would venture as far wast as Attu and he loved it, he loved the Aleutians. He was always willing to try new things for the sake of history, like getting us to Chichagof Harbor, docking at the rock dock on Umnak, or dropping us off at Jeff’s Cove on Kiska. But he always did so safely. He knew those waters like no one else.
Not sure what this means for the future of the Puk Uk or our Aleutian History Expeditions. Whoever buys it will have some enormous shoes to fill. Truthfully, no one can replace Billy Choate I will miss you Captain Q and our trips will never be the same without you. RIP friend.
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I met Bill 2005 in St. Augustine, FL. He was my adventure buddy. We hiked many miles in the Guana Wildlife Preserve, walked over 2 major bridges connecting downtown Jacksonville to San Marco, and biked miles of rough terrain and hills in Hanna Park. Yes there are hills in FL!
He was quite a joker and a prankster! I once revealed to him I was going to meet a person for the first time I had connected with online. The meeting was to occur at one of his favorite FL restaurants… Caps On the Water. He said he and a friend were going to show up at Caps that evening and harass us. Sure enough they did! It was so funny and definitely the highlight of the evening! The blind date…not so fun.
I was in attendance at the departing boat party, the evening before the Puk-uk left St. Augustine for good. It was sad to say goodbye. I continued to receive videos and photos of his adventures thru the years. I will always miss the wit, kindness, funny cartoons and upbeat manner that was Bill. Sending love to his daughter and family.
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My uncle Billy meant so much to so many people. My father, Billy’s older brother, was taken from Alaska as a child. He was never returned to his home or his family and was raised on the east coast. About 30 years ago, Billy took a leap of faith and reconnected with my father. Billy immediately offered his unconditional love and acceptance and facilitated a tremendous amount of healing. He shared memories and photos and offered his honest and loving perspective. My father passed in 2012 knowing that their mother Vera, and the rest of the family, never stopped loving him and that they missed him every single day. Billy introduced my family to Alaska. He introduced us to my aunt and uncles, and cousins - and to his many dear friends from all over the country. He visited us in Virginia regularly and introduced us to St. Augustine Florida and Galveston Texas. He took us out for an amazing adventure on the Puk-uk - a truly magical experience we will never forget. Billy remains very much alive in our memories and will continue to be honored by the lasting relationships that he made possible through his steadfast commitment to his family and friends. Thank you uncle Billy. I love you!
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Billy was my close friend since 1996. We were both extremely independent people with an appreciation for lively discussions and being outdoors. I met him in 1996 in Olympia when he was studying creative writing at The Evergreen State College. He generously took my kids skiing with him and Colette. When he moved back to Homer with Colette I came to visit and decided to try Homer. It was an adventure I’ll always be grateful for. I miss Bill. He’ll always have a special place in my heart.
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It was apparent to all the regulars at Starbucks that the new guy reading the New York Times in the corner was not from around here, this was St. Augustine Beach Florida around 1999 . He told me he was from Homer Alaska and was building a boat that he would sail back and use for excursions into the Gulf of Alaska. "UH you do know that's a different ocean than this one"? He just smiled back at me and offered a seat and a section of the paper, each morning for the next four years we repeated this ritual coffee, paper, and me asking a stupid question.
He sailed away 5 years later with my sixteen year old son as a crew mate, he was my friend for 20 years there was only one Bill Choate and I miss him terribly.
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It really saddens me to hear this news. I’m so sorry for the loss of a good man. He will be genuinely missed in the community of Homer as he gave so much of himself to it. I noticed while my daughter and Colette were growing up together that he was always there for her. He was a great dad. RIP Billy
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My best memories of my brother Bill were the great outdoors experiences we had. As children we gathered willing friends and hiked the beaches and hills of Homer. The older kids would build bonfires at Beluga Lake and swim, all the time making sure us younger ones stayed on inner tubes. ( he taught Billy Harrington how to swim and it came in handy when the Grizzly fishing boat sank and Billy Harrington swam to shore). In winter we ice skated, then as he grew up Bill could hardly pass Beluga lake without suddenly turning whatever old truck he had on to the lake to spin Brodie's and terrify us passengers.
As an adult I got the best advice from Bill, which benefited me enormously, unless at times I did not listen for complex reasons.
I knew he would be the best possible dad if he had children and sure enough he was.
Virginia Rowley (Choate)
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I am sad to learn of Bill's passing. I was just looking through photos last week from our 2015 trip with Bill, and thinking about what an amazing trip it was, in part because Bill was so engaging and knowledgeable of his environment. I am glad to have met him and to have had the opportunity to spend a little time with him on the Puk-uk. What a special man he was. My condolences to his family and friends.
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