Linda and Elizabeth, 

We were sorry to hear of Bills passing. He was a great friend and will certainly be missed. We had hoped to be able to make his celebration of life, however we had a family obligation that conflicted with the time. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers,

Ralph and Jennifer Toye 

Bill was my boss in the legal department at Hills in Canton, MA. I should say he was my all time favorite boss!  It was probably 30 years ago but I do remember how much fun we had in that office.  He invited our whole department to your home (and it was the best barn party I’ve ever been to!). 

I will always remember him with a smile. 

Dear Linda,

I apologize that Eleanor and I will not be able to be with you on September 1, 2021 to celebrate Bill's life. It is Eleanor's 75th birthday and we have had long standing plans to celebrate her birthday.

I cannot believe that Bill is no longer with us. He was so full of life. His smile could light up a room, even when we were experiencing some difficult times. Not only was Bill a superb lawyer, he was someone who always found practical world solutions to difficult legal issues. We went through a number of ups and downs while Bill was corporate general counsel for Hills Department Stores and I served along with my colleagues at Foley Hoag as Bill's and Hill's outside corporate counsel. In my 40 years as a practicing lawyer, I can attest to the fact that Bill was an outstanding lawyer and the best client that a law firm could have.

Along with my numerous memories of working with Bill on numerous business and legal matters, many of my best memories of Bill were personal times we spent together playing golf, and attending Red Sox and Celtics games together. However, the best of those times were attending Ohio State-Michigan games at the Horseshoe. Bill certainly was a most loyal Buckeye.

Dear Bill, rest in peace. We miss you and will never forget you!!!

Ambassador Barry B. White

155 Seaport Boulevard, Suite 1600 Boston, MA 02210

+1 617-832-1254 (office)

+1 617-417-2331 (mobile)

bbwhite7@yahoo.com

bbw@foleyhoag.com

Carol and I love Bill, Linda and Elle, and will miss seeing Bill at occasional OSU Buckeye football tailgate encounters after your move to MA.  The wonderful photo that you posted of Bill smiling puts a smile on my face every time I look at it, which has been often since we learned of his passing just 2 days ago.  Bill always did that for me, even if I couldn't see his face and it was just a phone call - BILL ALWAYS PUT A SMILE ON MY FACE !  We have soooooo many fond memories of spending time you - ACC basketball, ACC parties (basketball and New Years Eve), the couples baby shower for Elle, family volleyball parties, City Club parties, Beat Xichigan parties . . . yes, there seems to be a theme hear: PARTIES ! - and Bill, often the life of the party, knew how to party - I loved his story telling, enthusiasm and infectious whole body laugh !  Bill was the ultimate "good guy" - a forever friend, family man, giver, organizer and joy to be around.  Someone once said to me that the secret to life was: "It's all about making memories with family and friends, then remembering those memories with family and friends, repeated over and over."  Bill excelled at living out that saying.  Even though we haven't seen Bill often these past 15+ years, he never missed a beat when we did run into him  - usually at a Buckeye tailgate - we just picked up from our last encounter like it was yesterday (aided in part by annual newsy Christmas greetings).  Love and hugs to Linda and Elle from Carol and Dave "Buffalo" Baker

We were young and had such fun parties. Bill will be remembered always.

Most people who know me, know that I don't emote like this.  But it has been three weeks since my friend, Billy passed!  I had the pleasure to sit(stand) with Linda and Elle, I am so very sorry for your loss of a great man, Husband, Dad and friend, which if all of you can imagine how he made us all feel he was our great friend, how these lovely ladies must have felt about this special man!!! WOW!  I thank them for letting me in for a moment of there lives at such a very trying time and listening to my story and will never forget that and will always be there for them in any capacity they need or want!   I met Bill around 12 years ago, still trying to figure that out, seems like a life time!  After talking with all Bills Weymouth friends, yes he liked to slum and we were better for this, he came into our lives and changed them forever!  He accepted us in his world and adapted to ours, Linda will understand that  better than most.  We had the pleasure to have him guide us in all athletic leagues we were involved in, Bowling, Darts & golf!  Bill considered them sports, so don't I!  Everyone else who played with him does too!!!  I had the pleasure of being his golf partner for the past seven years and was his partner in many dart matches, I didn't realize it was a pleasure until it was to late, cause I was always asking him to pick up the pace!  As I think back I wished I had his perspective and appreciated the things around us, the the bunny that ran in front of us on the golf course or the song that was on the Juke Box while we were shooting darts, Paul can attest at bowling were the heck is Billy, Oh!  He's talking to a team on lane #1 when he was bowling on lane #10.

 I don't think my family is unique in this respect, but it was unique to us that my children look at Bill and Linda as either their aunt and uncle or Grandparents, Linda is way to young!!!    They have come to many parties at the house and many basketball games throughout the years and even rooted for Weymouth when we played Hingham, he always had some words of wisdom the next day or so and I would remind him he is way to short to tell me how to coach, of course he would say very softly what does height have to do with coaching!  I usually said something dumb after that(happened way too much)!

I know My Friend Billy is in heaven looking down saying, I will see you all soon but not to soon and I am setting up some leagues up here and your all invited!  I have never met a nicer man in my life or been more influenced by a person that I loved so dearly, the fact he kept me as a friend so long is a testament to his will and awesomeness!!!   Has to be in the name!!!

RIP, Love you buddy!

Love you Linda & Elle!

  

How very sad Sandy & I are to hear of Bill’s passing.  Seems only yesterday we imposed on you guys for a personal tour of your home in Boston!  It was a great afternoon, with lunch in Harvard Square.  But fonder memories are of the house boat trips on Lake Cumberland, drinking scotch and reading limericks under the stars.  Finally the OSU Buckeyes will miss your great love for Saturday’s in Columbus!  Linda, we are in Boston 9/13 & 9/14, would hope we could at least talk by phone.

Debra and I are sadden by Bill’s passing.  Could someone as wonderful had a better last name?  I think not.  Bill & Linda brought  fun and laughter to the world that dearly needed it.  We are richer for have know Bill Friend.

We have known Bill for lots of years, but we really got to know him when we joined the bowling league. Every Monday we looked forward to heading to South Shore Country Club to try to act like we knew how to bowl! Bill really made the league, he worked so tirelessly to make sure we all had so much fun and every week we had so many laughs. Snow or ice could not keep us from bowling, it was the highlight of our week! I personally will miss stopping and chatting with Bill on my walks down Main Street. I would look forward to seeing him out in the driveway as I walked passed his house. Bill truly was a great guy, he will certainly be missed ❤️

Guess who mysteriously left this on our doorstep

Bill brought people together in a world divided. He was a patient listener - even if he disagreed, and he embraced humor like a religion. The reality that I can no longer pop in unannounced and chat is difficult to accept.

What was the most fun you ever had with William?

So many football games, at OSU, Bexley and road trips, often with a stop at Plank's to see the Hills and the Dillards. Tackle football at the Jeffrey Mansion (no pads but lots of torn shirts); basketball games, three on three or as spectators; nickle dime poker, stories of which were a book on their own; listening to him tell stories, so often with different endings; high school activities, like the Boys' Athletic Association and Hi-Y; high school reunions, and informal gatherings in the midst of them; trips to Boston to see Bill and his family... Just when I thought I had the answer narrowed down to one event I realized the real answer was a whole summer - 1963, The Summer of Bill.

My mother had threatened me that I was going to work in the yard - for free!- if I did not get a job. The next day I had two jobs. When the one working at Johnson's Real Ice Cream materialized, I dropped the other one. My nickname was "Lightening," because the other guys could not understand how it took me so long to dip an ice cream cone. Eventually I got the knack, avoided being fired and Bill asked if I could get him an interview for a job. He was hired immediately.

The rules were, 1. Wait on the customers; 2. Clean-up; 3. Sit and eat ice cream if there was time. When Bill and I worked at the same time, he had great ideas for other things we could get into. He created a baseball game of folding a paper cup into a disc and pitching it to the other person. It was fun to see that thing curve; not so much fun to try to hit it. There were rules for hits, outs and runs. When there was time, he fooled around with different combinations of ice cream, syrup and cola. Usually they were disasters, which I was glad to report to him. One time, however, the result tasted like chocolate covered cherries. "You're going to be rich," I said, "What did you put in this?" He replied, "I wasn't paying attention." His creative brilliance was lost to history. Instead of being a millionaire he had to study law and work for a living.

At 11:00 p.m. we had to "pick up the parking lot," which led to foolish comments, then we went to the Eastmoor Drive-In for hamburgers, or got into a eucher game. (Decades later I got hooked on playing tournament bridge. Never having played, Bill asked me to explain it. "Well." I said, "it is a lot like eucher, except each player has 13 cards and there are strict rules against clearing your throat or otherwise sending signals to your partner." Bill replied "That's the best part of my game," and changed the subject.) During the day we often played golf or tennis.

Late in the summer Bill told me his family was going to a place in Indiana which had a world famous resort. The highlights were golf courses and great food. Did I want to go with them? I did, and the Friend family embraced me for several days. My family always took "destination" vacations with a purpose, so it was a new experience for me. The name of the place was French Lick, which I heard about many years later when a basketball player named Larry Bird became famous with the Celtics. Every time he was identified as "The hick from French Lick," I was reminded of that wonderful vacation with the Friend family, and my Summer of Bill.

Vic, Skip and I were reminiscing about Bill and all of the special memories that we have with him. Skip loved all of the times spent together in New England and touring Ohio’s Amish country, fun meals at Der Dutchman, and the conversation and laughter at our many family gatherings. A favorite memory with Bill was attending Buckeye games including the skull session, watching Bill enjoy it as though it were the fist time. As fellow OU grads and marrying Vance daughters, they had much in common and was one of Skip’s favorite people. He was looking forward to seeing Bill in September and will miss spending time with him!
Bill was the ultimate tour guide and Vic and I will always cherish the time that he drove us around Boston in his convertible, showing us the sights. He made Boston and local history come alive. He and Linda were such gracious hosts and always made us feel special. When they made trips back to Ohio, they would make the effort to attend my kids’ soccer and football games. Bill and Linda made my family feel special and loved.
Words that describe Bill are hospitable, kind, humble, great conversationalist, intelligent, a great listener, all around fun guy and a true gentleman.
We all love Uncle Bill and will miss him dearly! Linda and Elle, we love you!❤️

Heartfelt condolences to all family members on the passing of Bill. I knew Bill during the time he worked in the legal department at SCOA on 35 North Fourth Street in Columbus. At that time i worked in the Retail Footwear Division Personnel (HR) Department, and had many interactions with Bill in that role. He always provided solid legal employee relations analysis and guidance to assist with various issues from Labor Relations to EEO. Superb skill set along with excellent people skills. Very well-liked by all who knew him. RIP.

Tom and I remember Bill as a wonderful husband, father, friend and neighbor with a positive outlook on life, always smiling, quick to laugh and ready to enjoy life. His passion for Ohio State was a frequent topic of conversation which we were fortunate to have recently shared with him, Linda and Liz. Please accept our deepest, heartfelt sympathy.

My Dad was always able to sweep me off my feet, at least until I grew taller than him.

In retirement, Bill became a devoted backyard tomato gardener, flexing his green thumb and delivering increasingly impressive yields. In addition to winning praise from his tomato-loving family, his dedication to his tomato patch ensured he sported an impressive tan throughout the summer.

Saab Saga. My Dad's love for Saab convertibles was epic. As long as I can remember there was always one in the driveway. Whenever there was a sunny summer day he was sure to be out and about, often with his equally fashionable co-pilot.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you both at this very difficult and sad time. We always enjoyed his company and hearing his many stories. Walter and I thought of you both as we walked into Patriot Cinema last Friday night wondering if you would be there and hoping to catch up over a drink afterward.
Love to you both.

A joyful day of playing ukuleles together after Covid curtail our in-person gatherings. A great time was had by all!

I met Bill and Linda three years ago at our ukulele gathering at Hingham’s Senior Center. For some reason, no matter how our music stands were set up, I inevitably sat across from Bill. It was always a pleasure to look up from a song and see him concentrating on the music - with that sweet smile on his face.

Our group’s regular pre-covid Uke gathering time was Tuesday mornings at 11:15, and we usually gathered earlier to catch up on everyone’s week. During Covid, we continued these gatherings via Zoom - I don’t think Bill missed even one of these during that time. On August 3, 2021 we gathered in person at our instructor’s house for an outdoor “jam session” and potluck lunch - it was sooooo great to be with everyone in person again. And again, I happened to sit across from Bill - and again, I witnessed that contented smile as we played through the playlist.

What would we have done that day if we knew it would be the last time we saw Bill? I don’t know. What I do know is that our GrandUkes gatherings in the future will not be the same without Bill - but he will be playing along with us in our hearts.

To Linda and Elle: There are no words I can find to express my condolences as you navigate this new world without this very special man.