So awful, I cannot believe Bill has passed. I just found out today. He appeared invincible. I met Bill (what the) Heck when I was a Red shirt in the Buddy Bombard 2008 season. Bill had ten mega-tons of charisma and it was a privilege to work in his team. He was an exciting man to be around, there was always a bigger story, better anecdote, a swagger that gave everyone confidence.
Bill elevated life from normal to 8K 4D ‘check your harness before the ride begins’ interstellar level.
Bill was a lot more than show stopping anecdotes, he also had time for his friends.
That season I was recovering from serious illness and didn’t know the other red shirts well. Bill and I shot the breeze watching a Chateaux De Laborde / Buddy HQ Sunset whilst putting the world to rights he is and will always be a master of the sky.
I didn’t know him for long but I will never forget the precious moment in time that our lives would cross paths.
And the countless number of times he put a smile on others faces with the line
Grass, Gas or Arse nobody flys for free!
Bill Heck. LEGEND
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I am so sad to hear of the passing of Bill. I worked with him in France in 1987. He was a lovely man & he arrange for myself & then boyfriend fly to the US & work in Scottsdale with him & Bill Baker. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. Claire Davies
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We met Bill by chance in 1979. We came to Az where my husband had gone to college years before . We were visiting his Grands here for the winter . We wanted a balloon ride and called “ Cousins of the clouds” and booked a ride . We quickly became friends with Bill . We saw each other 3 or 4 times over that 2 week period and when we returned to Illinois we bought our own Balloon ! Bill was such a great guy ! He came to Illinois to visit and stay with us a few times over the years . He even flew with us in a race at the Wisconsin Dells , and loved the challenge of flying in the Midwest with ever changing weather . We tried to stay in touch over the years , we bought a second home in Fountain Hills and saw him here in the winter while the great fair held a rally each year. Sadly we kind of lost track of each other as life got in the way . We were so sad to see he has passed . We treasured his friendship and will always be indebted to our introduction to a sport that kept my husband flying for over 20 years . I’m sure “the winds have welcomed you with softness’ as you have flown so high and so well “ . R.I.P. Dear friend . Rich and Roxanne Marshallsay
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What a great friend. Gone too soon.
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A life well lived........ Bravo Bill!
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Condolences to All who love and admire ‘Sky Bill’. What a stand-up human being, terrific guy, dear friend… and our Best Man. It has simply been beyond difficult to acknowledge his departure. We so appreciate the decades he shared in our life and know that he touched so many others. And Bill, know you’re up there; we’ll be reaching out. You’re in our hearts, in our history, in our joy with each anniversary we recall...(and personally, numerically, Molly & Frank we’ll always feel connected to you by the power of number 13.)
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Unfortunately I will not be able to attend today as planned . My condolences to the Heck family. He was a wonderful man and great pilot. He will be missed 😢
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Bill and I met at church during our high school days! He quickly became one of my Great Friends! We all know Bill for being an Amazing balloon pilot, but you may not know that he was a Heck of a Musician too! We had a band back then (1975 - 76). He played synth and I played drums and our bass player, Bruce, came up with the song, "Cling Peaches In Heavy Syrup"! I've digitized the copy of Bill's original after we recorded it. But I only had a piece a crap low end Radio Shack cassette to record on. Thus the quality of the sound. I've posted it for your enjoyment. Bruce is heard at the end of the song, he liked it and we did too!
In the late 90's he had space for me in a Balloon race, so I jumped at the chance! We flew the balloon "Big Boy" that day! What a Wonderful trip it was and our bag landed closer to the target than the other balloons!
To have flown with my two favorite pilots, Bill and my Dad (a C47 pilot in WWII and Korea), has been one of the Great Joys in my Life.
All my Love to Bill's Family and to all us Friends of Sky Bill! Bill, you were a Great Friend and you will be greatly missed and Not Forgotten! RIP Bill.
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This song, "Cling Peaches In Heavy Syrup" was recorded in 1975 - 76. Bill is an amazing synth player on this song that Bruce wrote, bass player, and I'm on drums. The video is many still pics but the music is the 'show'. Enjoy!!
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First time I met Bill was when Dave Bagley brought his high school buddies Boyce and Bill came over to Honolulu in 1982. I was living with my parents, post college, playing baseball and working. My memory of Bill on that trip was taking the guys over to Hanauma Bay for snorkeling. I didn’t realize that the Arizona guys wouldn’t know how to put on a snorkel and mask, let alone snorkel. I can still see Bill sitting at the edge of the shoreline, trying to figure it out. I immediately felt like I wasn’t doing my job and went over and helped him out. It all worked out in the end and we got a little snorkeling in. Over the years I was able to spend more time with Bill on the Male Bonding gatherings and I’m grateful for that. I enjoy telling the story of Bill taking a few of us up in his hot air balloon. Grateful for knowing Bill! ❤️
In response to "What always reminds you of Sky Bill?"
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You could always find Bill in a crowd. That’s where all the people were gathered. He was a magnet. Bill had a way of making you feel that you were his best friend. His charming smile, twinkling eyes and gentle hugs warmed your heart and made you smile. His piloting skills were second to none. He was always there, a stalwart in the ballooning community.. We will all miss his friendship
In response to "When was the last time you spent time with Sky Bill?"
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