Bill Wright

Cal Club Flagger

January, 1998
To my friends:

My friend Bill Wright, a man with a great sense of humor, just passed away. He'd had a couple of heart attacks earlier in the week, and had a stroke this morning and did not pull through. I must try to think of gentle words, for he was a gentle soul.

Bill:

As I look out upon the gathering clouds, I think about the happy times we spent in the sun, the rain and the wind, dodging race cars and swapping stories. You were the first racing friend to meet Pam, my best friend, and you are perhaps the racer she remembers most. She sends her love and sympathy to Vickie in this time of sadness.

I don't know what to say, mon vieux, that will block the rain, stop the tears, or bring you back to us again. But as I watch the old recruiting video, or leaf through old worker albums, I am reminded of how much fun you brought with you, how infectiously you laughed, how brightly you illuminated each room you entered. If I could learn that magic incantation that would put you in Vickie's arms again, if I could only discover the words that would return you to Turn 9 (any track), if I could only learn the phrases that would return you to our company, I would shout them till I was hoarse, then your friends would pick up the chorus from every mountain.

But there are no words to unravel time; there is only grief. Since you have abandoned us now, please give us your strength and humor that we may help Vickie, that woman you love so dearly, as she grasps for comfort and marches unsteadily towards the future. With your love and memory, her step will improve with time, and it will be the remembered laughter that counts the cadence.

I don't know what to tell you, as you can plainly see, but know this my dear flagging friend: we miss you terribly, and wish you peace. As one of your signs read, "Play Safe." We'll do that, and sip a beer in your honor, and laugh for you since you can no longer laugh for us.

Adieu, mon vieux. Goodbye, old friend.

Turn your speakers down and visit Cal Club's Tribute to Bill (old link, now broken: www.calclub.com/bill.htm) page for more thoughts and messages.

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