Bill was "the inventor". Have a particular need? Bill will try to built it. From truck mounted elevating deer stands, to baseball bats, to portable chicken houses your can move around your yard, he could make it work. Remember the Babe Ruth World Series in Alachua? They needed more stands for all the people who would come. Bill heard that FSU had the stands they removed from Doak during the renovation/expansion. Free if you could get them. It didn't take long before he had a convoy bringing those stands to the Alachua Babe Ruth fields. He could get it done!
Bill wasn't afraid to try a new idea or ways to make money. Remember when "Oscars" were the in fish to have in your tank? Bill made Oscar ponds to raise them. How about the quail? His quail houses were state of the art.
And fishing! don't forget the fishing. When we were young and free in Rockledge, FL, 1/2 block from the river, the riverbank was our summer playground. We could stay out there all day, fishing, climbing the rocks, exploring. Bill always loved the outdoors and spent his life outdoors, happy and free.
This is the way I remember my brother, always helping, exploring, inventing, and giving back to the community. I choose to honor him by taking care of the outdoors he cherished. Love you brother, RIP.
Kathy (the baby sister) Mathis and husband Mark.