A Sad Post

Some of my old friends might remember me from the "old days" on TTOL. For the rest of you, I used to hang around here quite a bit. Travels lately have taken me elsewhere, but a big chunk of my heart is still in the BVI. I miss you all...

Bill Hartzman (BillH) is another guy who used to hang around TTOL way back when. Many of you know he has been ill, both with cancer and kidney failure. Bill was moved to a hospice in Chattanooga a few weeks ago and continued dialysis there as a palliative treatment.

Bill decided just a couple of days ago to discontinue the dialysis. I think he just got tired of fighting. He passed away this afternoon at the hospice center where he was staying. His good friend, Jean Massengale, has been an angel to him and was with him when he passed. He went peacefully, just closing his eyes and drifting away. We should all be so lucky.

Kim (Kimmers) & Lew Spruance and Maryann Pascucci (Map or Mappy) joined with my bride, Christine, and I in trying to make his last days as comfortable as possible from long distance. I hope we helped.

I just noticed that, at the bottom of these pages, is an ad that Bill and I made up years ago to help sponsor interest and support in VISAR. Hopefully, it has done some good. A big thank you to my good friends, Eric and Carol Hill, for leaving it there.

Fair winds to you all. Maybe I'll try to get on here once in a while, just to annoy someone. Bill would have wanted nothing less.

Jeff

Here's Bill and some of us...back in 2007.

Life goes on. So many great guys and gals worked on this site for years. Peace to you and your wife Di
Thanks Bill

Fair winds Bill...we had many great times with you and Di although we most certainly did not always agree about things (lets just say I'm a little more left than Bill!) We think of you and Di often and hope you have finally found some peace..we will toast you on our next trip to your favorite island..Anegada..

Thank you for sharing this, Jeff - I was just wondering about Bill since I don't think we've heard much since he told us all what was going on back in November. We will raise a toast in his honor at Cow Wreck for sure...Fair winds and following seas, Bill.

Beautifully written Jeff.

Sad news indeed...RIP Bill ...smooth sailing x

Well, this is my first TTOL visit in many, many moons and wouldn't ya know...

BillH was a class act and a calming influence on TTOL.

Rest in Peace, Bill

Just Damn!! I had been messaging Bill over the past months since Di passed to try and get him back to the BVI's. I'll truly miss that soul. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> Belinda and I first met Bill, Di, Jeff and Crissy at Pusser's as Bill invited us to sail with them for the day. That was the same trip that Mal and Candace extended great hospitality by hosting the TTOL Party at CRC. Great times will NOT be forgotten!

At least he's back with Di and hoisting a tall drink and sailing on a great fair wind.

I'll miss you my friend.

Very sad news - RIP and smooth sailing over the heavens

Oh man.. I'm so sorry to hear this Jeff.. Rest in peace, Bill..

So sad we never got to meet Bill; we often talked dogs on Facebook and would have loved to talk about them at Cow Wreck instead.

Sail on, BillH, you'll be missed by many.

May I suggest that anyone who is able make a small donation to Visar?

Many thanks for posting this Jeff! Very beautifully written. Captain my Captain will be missed so very much!

Thoughts and prayers to Bill's family and friends.

I'm computer challenged but click on the link for a great picture of Bill & Di on Anegada from Bill's Facebook page.

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hph...amp;oe=572D8664

So sad to hear He was a gem of a gentleman, a far away friend and lover of the BVI. Rest In Peace, my friend.

Another good one gone. Rest In Peace Bill.

What a lovely picture!! Thanks so much for posting it!!!

Very sad to hear, sail on sailor and be with your lovely wife.....

Thank you for passing this along to us. The pictures you posted are exactly as I remember Bill and Di.
Bill contributed a lot to TTOL over the years and I am sorry to learn of his passing. He will be missed.
Fred

Had the great pleasure of meeting Bill and His lovely wife a number of years ago while relaxing in front of Cow Wreck floating in the water. I can honestly say they were one of the nicest couples I have met while traveling in the Islands. I know one thing for sure, they are enjoying their reunion tonight and may just be looking down at their favorite spots together again.

Never met him, but corresponded with him several times.
Always a nice guy. Eager to help.
Appreciate the way he faced his end. He will be missed

Sad news indeed. Bill will be missed here.

Here on TTOL I was often amused by the contrast between Bill's calm demeanor as a moderator, and his sharply barbed comments once he was liberated from that responsibility.

Like Mal I often disagreed with Bill's politics, but nonetheless appreciated his contributions to this forum.

Goodbye Bill. You will be missed.

Dan <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Great picture Rick thanks for sharing.

Somehow managed to double post. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Doh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for letting us know Jeff. I have a soft spot in my heart for Bill from back in the day when he used to call me late at night to ask questions about this place or that. He was always attempting to answer some question on TTOL and needed up-to-date info.

He truly tried his best to help. He could be acerbic and a little testy at times and he knew it. I was at the Jolly Roger one night when he asked me if I thought he was too quick to shut down threads that he felt were getting out of hand. I told him yes, I did think he could be a bit heavy handed from time to time ... but so what?

I (and many, many others) weren't willing to be a moderator, so to heck with anyone who criticized. Being a forum moderator is one of the most thankless volunteer positions in the world. Personally, I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole! I mean really, how many regular users here would be prepared to give up so much of their free time to be a moderator?

I told him that I for one greatly appreciated all his efforts, even though I may not always agree with his moderating style. I bought him a drink, we dropped that conversation and we both went back to our respective tables.

Later that night, Di told me I had hurt his feelings. I felt terrible. I went over to him, sat down and told him that I was never known to be particularly diplomatic and I figured if anyone would appreciate forthrightness, I thought he would. After explaining how much I personally appreciated his contributions over the years, I think he felt a little better. I won't get into what prompted the question in the first place, but I think he was hoping for a different answer from me.

Bill's contribution to TTOL was invaluable and he helped a great many people over the years, as did Jeff, Dan and a few others. He gave an inordinate amount of time to this community and I know he went out of his way to find answers for folks. If he didn't know something himself, he would call someone he thought would know. I can't imagine how outrageous his phone bills must have been back then!

So I will raise a glass to Bill and thank him one last time for all his efforts. Fair winds, following seas and long may your jib draw, my friend. I'll look you up when I get there! [/quote]

So sad to hear the news. Spent some good times with Bill and Di out in the BVI and exchanged many, many, ttol messages with him.

So sad, only knew BillH through TTOL and the older board but thought of him as a friend, Rest in Peace Bill you will be missed.

It seems like just yesterday he was telling us of Di's passing. He took great care of her until the end. I have never met Bill, but he has giving me sound advice for many years.

Sail on sailor!

Liane--thanks so much for your note. You are absolutely correct. Being a moderator here is the most thankless job in the world. TTOL owes an endless debt of gratitude to Bill and Jeff, who we contacted as we were setting up the BVI board, and who volunteered for that most thankless job. And since then, all the other moderators that we have had here. I have no idea why you guys put up with it, but we are extremely grateful.

God's speed.....

RIP Bill, I will always remember your love for Di and how you cared for her so deeply. Our condolences to your friends and families.

Smooth sailing my friend . . . till we meet again!!!

Haven't posted in years but always lurking. We had the pleasure of visiting with Bill & Di before she passed. Unfortunately, could not get together with Bill after that although we kept in touch via email and phone. We will miss them both very much.

Very sad indeed.
I am sure Bill is up there trying to find crew for his next charter...

Hey Fran! Sorry it was this sad occasion that has brought you out of lurking, but good to hear from you. Glad to know you were able to visit with Bill and Di. Take care.

After we moved to NC we are only about 4 hours from their place. After we went there they were going to come up to visit at our house when Bill could put together a few days off from work. But, Di took a turn for the worse as we all know and then Bill's illness...

Sad indeed.

Sad news indeed. I never did meet Bill, but I knew him from his posts. Clearly he was well loved.

Felix

So sorry to hear this! Rest in Peace, Mr. Hartzman.

So sorry to hear this sad news. We have many fond memories of good times spent with both Bill and Di. Beautifully written, Jeff. Thanks for letting us all know.

Just check in today and have seen this thread.

RIP Bill - probably the first person from here that I had any interaction with when I was asking newbie questions before I moved to the BVI many years, ago. It was through my links with VISAR that we got the link set up at the bottom of the page.

I had the pleasure of Bill and Di taking myself and Pickle for dinner at the 1st Spaghetti Junction. Him and Di were a great couple and although my connection with him had gone, he will be well remembered at sadly missed.

Sail in peace Bill & Di.

Like Bill, I go back to the original version of BVI Traveltalk that got taken over by spammers and angry posters. With his guidance, BVI Travel returned to a wonderful forum for newbies, as well as for those of us who have earned our Gold BVI VIP cards. I never met Bill other than through our responsive posts, but I can only say that this news was as awful as learning of any other friend I have lost to this insidious disease. Thank you, Bill, for being the greatest US Ambassador that the BVI has ever had. Those of us who knew and loved Bill, if even only electronically, must step up, help this forum thrive, and make him proud of what he helped to build. I will have a Painkiller for you tonight, Bill. Godspeed.

Bill's Obituary from the Chattanooga paper.

Hartzman, William L.

Saturday, January 30, 2016


William L. Hartzman died peacefully at a Chattanooga hospice facility on January 26, 2016.

Born March 15, 1939, in Baltimore, he was the only child of William Arthur and Alfrida Small Hartzman.

He was preceded by his wives, Kathye Gwin, Helen Wild and Diane Swearingen; survived by Diane’s daughters, Julie and Jennifer, and their families.


An Army veteran, Bill received his Masters of Education degree from the University of Virginia and taught math, which brought him to Pine Breeze School in Chattanooga. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church. He worked for Volunteer Life and LBJ Advertising. His advertising career led him to Memphis, Pensacola, Birmingham and finally to Augusta, where he helped form HMS Advertising, Inc., and resided for nearly 28 years. He also worked in real estate, made it his business to care for animals, and rescued numerous greyhounds.


An experienced sailor with a US Coast Guard offshore license, he dearly loved years spent in the British Virgin Islands. He will be missed by many friends from high school in Petersburg, VA, from the BVIs, and Cabela’s Augusta where he last worked.

He returned to Chattanooga for hospice care and to be buried with Helen at National Cemetery. A committal service on Thursday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. will be officiated by Reverend Derrick Hill at Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Special thanks to friends Phillip Hutto and Jean Massengale for his care. Memorial donations may be sent to visar.org or greyhound rescue.

Rick--thanks for posting that..