In memory of Bill Decker, N4VMY !
We all share our loss and salute our hero in the way he lived, all that he gave and presented himself to God.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some stay for awhile and leave footprints in our hearts, and we are never the same after that. Bill touched so many hearts.
Bill had the most knowledge of any ham we have ever known. He was our hero in ham radio and guidance in life.
For all of Bill's family, friends and fellow hams, we trust God's promise to Bill and look to heaveans gate.
William Howard Decker, age 77, of
Leitchfield, died Monday, August 11, 2008 at Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center in Leitchfield.
He was born January 29, 1931. He was a member of Mt. Vernon Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was retired from the U.S. Air Force.
Bill Decker was truly, a ham's ham. If you look up the word 'Gentlemen', a picture of Bill Decker will appear. His knowledge of electronics was incredible. His ability to design and build equipment was superb and Bill was always willing to share and help anyone. The lives of Doris and Bill were led by the Lord and he was faithful to the end.
We miss Bill's voice, his soul but most of all we miss his spirit and love for this hobby.
I did not know Bill personally, but he is legendary among ham operators and is described as a gentleman and a true craftsman when it came to all the homebrew equipment he built over the years. When one of Bill's AM transmitters became available, I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase it. I was extremely impressed with the innovative design features as well the craftsmanship and attention to detail. Ham radio has lost one of the great ones.
I just discovered this and I must say that I am shocked.
I spent many a night listening to Bill and gang on 3.875 talking about antennas and radios. I learned a quite a good deal. In fact, some of what I overheard from those guys, I put to use, in this new antenna that me and a friend mine put up.
There was one little issue that came up between him and me, but I don't hold grudges.
I will miss the nights that I used to lay in the bed and listen to his excellent audio and signal.
Rest in Peace OM and VY 73
-Chuck Adkins K8CPA
'Kentucky Bill' Decker entered my life shortly after I upgraded and became active on 75M. I gravitated to 3875 because the group often conversed in gentlemanly fashion about amplifiers and antennas with a very high level of expertise. 3875 was an oasis of civility and intelligence on 75M, for which a lot of credit goes to Bill Decker, who with a few carefully chosen remarks could steer a questionable conversation in a constructive and family-friendly direction without ruffling feathers.
Bill witnessed his Faith more effectively than most because he lead by example with gentle kindness and wit, not self-righteousness or pomposity. That integrity, coupled with his almost encylopediac knowledge of radio, meant that he was looked to as arbiter when disagreements over technical questions arose in the course of discussion.
Almost five years after his passing, I still look to Bill as an important role model in my life, not only as a Ham but most importantly as a Christian.