Bill was my friend. He was also a guide to me in Amateur Radio. He helped me understand how Ham Radio worked and encouraged me to continue learning about our hobby. I knew Bill by many different names, ‘Little Buddy’ for his size, ‘Old Man’ a complement in Ham Radio, ‘Nanook of the North’ for fun and his accent, ‘Nanook Five White Whiskered Animal’ also for fun, and the one I am responsible for ‘Bill2’ (Bill squared) for the Bill and Bill conversations.
‘November Five Whiskey Whiskey Alpha’ was more than just a Ham Radio Operator, he was a servant to his community and his friends. Bill never met a stranger, he made friends with all who met him, he helped those who needed it and those to proud to ask for it, and if you thought of him as an enemy then it was your own damn fault! Bill worked to improve himself and his community and he encouraged those around him to do the same. He was active in the local Ham Radio club (North Arkansas Amateur Radio Society) and in the National Weather Service Skywarn program. Bill would not let the late hour or an approaching storm take him off the air. He would see it through to the last and make sure everyone was safe and sound.
To the club, Bill was a key member each year in the biggest event in Ham Radio, Field Day. Bill looked forward to Field Day each year with the enthusiasm and energy of a 10 year old. Bill worked the radios not because he felt he was so much better at it than the rest of us, but because he truly loved the hobby and loved to share it with everyone. Bill was proud to call himself an Amateur Radio Operator and his pride was ever so evident on the air. May we never forget Bill’s example and his devotion to the hobby.
Bill Hendrich, ‘November Five Whiskey Whiskey Alpha’, Silent Key on January 16th, 1999.