I first met Bill on FOL oh so many years ago

I first met Bill on FOL oh so many years ago. Then finally face to face @
Bryn Mawr about a year ago. As far as I could tell, Bill NEVER met a
stranger. I met him and instantly felt as if we were old friends. Fast
forward on
year. . .I moved to Middleburg this spring and needed to find something close
by, I rang Bill, got the needed information and that was that. An old friend
"to the rescue".

Thank you Bill, I will miss you at MOC, but will think of you often as I
watch my kids grow and learn to appreciate all things hunting and country.

God Speed my friend,

John R. Tabachka

Bill Wicks is my 'cyber space best friend'..He sent me email cards and greetings and always answered my 'fol' questions.............Bill........let the Hound of Heaven take you up in the pack if that is what needs done..OR stay with us all for awhile

X's

Mary (Verbeck Pomeroy)

Honor the Warrior NOT the War

I fear not even a collection of reminisces from all of
FOL will do one Mr. Bill Wicks the justice he
deserves, but it is an auspicious attempt!

Mr. Wicks is nothing less than a stalwart pillar of
our foxhunting community, one whose subtle presence
reaches far beyond his Virginia environs.

Unselfish beyond a fault, Bill has spoiled us all,
being available to anyone at a moment's notice by
virtue of being merely a few key stokes away. He is
unstinting in providing information on a dizzying
array of subject matter related to the sport, from
directions to a pub party or a hunting fixture to
updates on events and hunt related political
happenings. So many of us have relied on you for so
much and for so long that your absence is already
leaving a hollow echo on FOL.

How can we say to you....how irreplaceable you are in
so many ways and in the many lives you have graciously
touched....and how we are only beginning to dearly
miss you?

Cheers to the moments you shared with those of us
lucky enough to know you! You shall always remain in
our memories, an unforgettable figure who has been a
wonderful ambassador to our sport.

For'waard On, Good Sir!

"An easterly wind, and a lowering sky,
a straight-necked fox with the scent breast high.

I pray no more unless a good start,
at the head of my hounds, on the horse of my heart."

Tantivy

Always humorous, and full of wisdom, often at the same time:
from a post in 2006 about a crop I'd just purchased, Bill had this to say:

"That is a lovely lightweight Swaine and Adeney crop. It is bamboo and will
be lighter than many of the hardwood crops.
I am envious and would love to have one like it for my collection.
Now most men prefer that women use a lighter crop..... Okay I am so not
going there."

I have learned so much from you, Bill. Thank you.

Kim Cox Carneal

Not only have I had the pleasure of Bill as and email buddy and FOLer but I
spent a good few hours in his company when he chauffeured me back from the VA
Hound shows to Dulles.

Bill is the greatest introducer of the "young entry" into our sport that I
know. His enthusiam and endeavour is infectious and his knowledge of the sport
encylopedic.

His humility is endearing and yet he and I put the world to rights on our
journeys and I have discovered a man of intelligence and a vast range of
knowledge and interests.

One of natures Gentlemen.

Bill I cannot think of FOL or the hound shows without you - and remember we
planned to do Upperville next year? I will miss so much the, occasionaly phone
call, e-cards and bon motes which arrive periodically - life will not be the
same without you.

I wish so much you did not have to leave us.

Pat

My first personal contact with Bill was--gosh--it must be 4 or 5 years ago, now...when I was still in the UK, and I sent out an SOS Stateside to FoL having just heard that Tony Blair was making a lightning visit to D.C.

This, you will recall, was at the height of our Battle(s) against Blair and The Ban.

Bill got back to me in record time----hitherto, he had only been a name associated with the rare combination of witty and informative postes....

We re confirmed and cross checked Blair's arrival date, and 'blow me down', if, in less than 18 hours, Bill had organized a demo outside the White House gates.
Placards, a couple of Hounds, several (unmounted) hunters in full fig, Himself, Dennis, et al.

Seriously Impressive, thought I.

From those humble beginnings, there has developed a great friendship---I am merely but *one* of the many good friends which 'Our' Bill has made through his sheer decency and enthusiasm for all things Hunting.

The man, God Love him, was so new to the sport...........but he was so enthralled that he soaked up info like the proverbial sponge.....rare man that he was, he did not 'parade' his newly aquired knowledge in an effort to seem more experienced than he was. Instead, his inherent class carried him forward---his thirst for knowledge absolutely bottomless----and his experience, wisdom--even the prattfalls from an 'earlier life' a never ending source of amazement, amusement and wonder.

A shy and gentle man, it was always great to have a chat w/ him over the 'phone when/if something had prompted one or the other of us to ring.
I also used to send him the occasional silly card---he was So Chuffed to receive what he called Real Mail.

I shall miss him Dreadfully. Miss the 'phone chats, miss the wonderful, whimsical postes which he was wont to send...........miss hearing how one or another that I had fwd-ed to him had had him cackling like a fiend......

And, oh, how we shall miss him at next year's hound shows. The inevitable dry and witty remarks, the classic one liners, the quiet kindness.

Dammit----I was stuck with The Bore to End All Bores (and pretentious with it......Yuck)at one point during the festivities, and who should quietly hove to @ my side but dear Bill. He managed to extricate me from a situation in which I would have caused my (late) Grandmere anxiety---in that I was on the point of saying something *most rude* to the Offending Pillock.

But---don'tcha see?? That was Bill. Observant. Kind. A bloody Good mate.

Here's to you, Old Son...................

Kathy (Cameron)

The foils of wit we've rung together... How I shall miss that, and must go back
through the archives to re-read all the wonderful posts Bill made over the
years. I remember his locating a source where I could get some of my favorite
comestibles from the Old Country... Last year at Bryn Mawr he gave me a car
sticker, which I've not yet put on. Must decide whether to put it on and enjoy
sharing it, or keep it stuck in the corner of the mirror where it will remind
me of Bill for a bit longer than it would on a car...

Our Bill would enjoy this one, I think. Substitute names throughout.

TOM MOODY

Death had beckoned with grisly hand
To the finest Whip in hunting-land.

'My time is short,' Tom Moody said,
'Master, when I am done and dead,

Lay me at Barrow beneathe the yew
In the dear old shire we have hunted through.

Let six earth-stoppers carry me there
With slow step and heads bare.

Bring the old horse I used to ride,
With my whip and boots to his saddle tied.

Fasten the brush in his forehead-band
Of the last dog-fox we brought to hand.

And let a couple of old hounds come,
Fitting mourners to follow me home.

Then, when you've laid me safe down there,
Give three view-holloas will shake the air,

And you'll know, if i do not lift my head,
There is no mistake--Tom Moody's dead!'

--Will Ogilvie

Rhonda

Please add me to the long list of well-wishers.

I'm holding you in my heart, Bill. The foxhunting community loves you and
all you stand for.

With warmest regards,

Carla AKA Fluffy
TVH DinoSource

Bill's enthusiasm about foxhunting is so contagious and encouraging. He
always answered my newby questions and graciously invited me out to follow the
MOC beagles by truck with him. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, learning from
him and other MOC regulars who were there. They conveyed to me the art of the
hunt, listening to an invisible field in deep cover which strained all of my
aural abilities to follow them. I am still stunned by the news and wish his
family my support and sympathy.

Anita L. Henderson

We cannot begin to express how saddened we are to hear this news. Please
extend our deepest sympathies to the family.

Having only known Bill for about 2 years we felt as if he were an old friend
at first meeting. His enthusiasm for the youth was obvious by the distinct
sparkle in his eyes when sharing the tales of his adventures with them. I
admired him greatly for his dedication to these youths. He will be missed by
all.

Good-bye dear friend

Deb & Alan Fox
CH
VA

I know there is a huntsman blowing gone away to welcome Bill to heaven.
Rest in peace, Mr. Wicks.

Nancy
GCH

Our condolences to Bill's family. We haven't been members for long but sure
have enjoyed Bill's banter here.
So sad to read this this morning.
Amanda & David
Reedy Creek Hounds

On Wednesday 27 June 2007 13:11, Titan's Run Farm wrote:
> Our condolences to Bill's family. We haven't been members for long but sure
> have enjoyed Bill's banter here. So sad to read this this morning.

Seconded here. I never met him, but I certainly enjoyed reading his postings.

--
Dan Holdsworth PhD daniel.holdsworth@xxxxxxxxxxxx

So often the best among us do not realize that how good and how important
they are; modesty and humility are part of what makes up their basic goodness.
Bill seemed never to understand how much he gave and how much he did. Perhaps
the outpouring of love he received in the past few days made it clear to him.
Someone saw me weeping yesterday and asked me why. When I told her that
someone close was dying, she said, "Oh, were you romantically involved?" and
thought I was being emotional when I told her that no, we were just friends.
"Just friends!" Those words are so dismissive. Yet was just a friend who
bore me up and offered words of support and wisdom when the very bad things
happened. It was just a friend who could always be relied upon. It was just a
friend whose own suffering and loss had taken him so far spiritually and taught
him so much. How I will miss his humor, his warmth, his counsel, his
understanding.
O God, we wonder why You must take the good ones home. But perhaps Bill's
work and learning here were finished. The consolation left for us is that we
can see him again in Heaven, for he is surely there.

~Andi

May he rest in peace

Once in a lifetime........

Kathy Diehl

We all lost a dear friend today.

Happy trails, Bill.

Clay Smith
Warrenton Hunt

It was a privilege to know Bill and call him my friend.

Such a lovely gentleman.

God Bless.

Frankie Pardoe

THE TRUE SPORTSMAN

The real ones, the right ones, the straight ones and the true,
The pukka, peerless sportsman--their numbers are but few;
The men who keep on playing though the sun be in eclipse,
The men who go on losing with a laugh upon their lips.

The men who care but little for the laurels of renown;
The men who turn their horses back to help the man that's down;
The fearless and the friendly ones, the courtly and the kind;
The men whose lion courage is with gentleness combined.

My notion of a sportsman?--I'll try, then, to define.
For preference well bred, of course, of some clean-living line;
With pride of place and ancestry whose service is the King's;
With all a noble knight's contempt for low, left-handed things.

Not the 'good sport' who burdens us with cheap and futile chat
Of the 'pedigree' of this one and the 'outside chance' of that,
But a man who loves good horses just to handle them and ride
Where the fences call to valour and the English grass lies wide.

All the best and truest sportsmen I have lived with and have known
Have a changeless faith within them which their simple hearts enthrone,
Believing in the God that made the green fields passing fair,
The God that gave good courage--and to every man his share.

And all the truest sportsmen I have met have had this gift:
A love of all the classic books that lighten and uplift;
And all have loved red woodlands, swift birds and coloured flowers;
And all have played with children and counted not the hours.

And I think when God has gathered all the men that He has made,
The perfect British sportsman may stand forward unafraid;
For, brave and kind and courtly, and clean of heart and hand,
No life than his seems nearer to the life our Maker planned.

--Will Ogilvie

Rhonda

I did not have the privilage of knowing Bill personally. I have quietly been following the posts and am so saddened to here that Bill has gone away.
He brightened my day so often.There is nothing I can say that, that has not already been said
Please pass my respects to his family.

Off to the Great Hunter in the Sky, where scenting is always perfect, hounds are always honest and horses are always game.

Until we meet again.

Diane in Harrisburg

I am so sorry about the loss of Bill. I saved my correspondence with him and
of late, re read his words of wisdom. Please understand that when confronted
with danger to family and friends, my first instinct is to put up a fight, and
my response to the news that Bill's life was in peril was no less loving than
the responses of those who immediately began to grieve for him. We will miss
him So...
He left such a legacy of kindness....I got to know him just when I had begun to
think "They don't make men like that anymore."
A wonderful person taken way too soon...

Robin Schmidt

A terrible loss. God bless Bill and his family.
Sandra Carnet

I am so sorry - the merciful thing is that it was quick

He will be missed by everyone

Gary
BMH

So often Bill's posts produced a wry smile but more often they made me think "why couldn't I have thought of that!"....

He'll leave a big hole in the hunting community and especially in FOL.

Happy trails Bill.

Graham (SHH)

There are damp keyboards all over the country, mine no exception.

Bill has a whip of mine, I would hope that it will go to one of the Children of the Middleburg-Orange County Beagles.

Eleanor
BSH

I shall miss his posts terribly. He not only had a great sense of humor, but
was often a voice of reason when a kennel fight broke out.

God speed and happy hunting Bill.

Amy
GH

Joel is no longer on the list, but when I told him about Bill's passing, he
asked that this be shared with the group.

The Ride
(Sony Tillis and Sam Weedman)
Horsepower

I was six years old, my brother was ten
One July day came running in,
seen a ferris wheel at the edge of town
So, of course, we headed on down
Well it took us an hour to walk that far
Carrying our fortune in a Mason jar
It was all pretty sad, a cheap county fair
With a few old rides but there was ponies there

Well, the ponies stunk and the air was still
In that dusty circle behind the ferris wheel
This old guy smelling of smoke and rum
Swung me up and sat me down on one
Well I'd never rode a horse but I'd seen it done
Cowboy movies made it look like fun
This old man whispered a few soft words
It was the best advice I've ever heard

Chorus:
He said "Sit tall in the saddle, Hold your head up high
Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky
And live like you ain't afraid to die
And don't be scared, just enjoy your ride"

I went up a kid with shaking hands
And I came down a full grown man
It was like he'd cast some Voodoo spell
Things were different for me now, I could tell
'Cos whenever troubles come wandering in
His rhyme would pop in my head again
And somehow I rode through the needles and nails
Brambles and thorns that life entails

Chorus

Well I know some day farther down the road
I'll come to the edge of the great unknown
There'll stand a black horse riderless
And I wonder if I'm ready for this
So I'll saddle him up and he'll switch his tail
And I'll tip my hat and bid farewell
And lift my song into the air
That I learned at that dusty fair

"Sit tall in the saddle, Hold your head up high
Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky
And live like you ain't afraid to die
And don't be scared, just enjoy your ride"
Now don't be scared, just enjoy your ride

Barbara in southern Illinois

Huntsmen (and women) could someone please go out and blow "gone away"?
In our hearts, we will hear it, and so will Bill.
------------

What a great idea...this and TAPS always make my heart skip a beat.
Im sure our stirrup cups and first jump at Opening Meet, where ever we all
are, will be in Bill's honor. Let's remember to point to the heavens when we
do!

He might reincarnate as a sly (laughing) fox and continue his merriment in
an entirely new form!

Donna
Hunting in Va

Scatter Wide My Ashes
by Michael Fifer
Scatter wide my ashes o'er fields where foxes run.
Saddle up my horse with whom I've had the best of fun,
Put my boots into the stirrups, with the spurs both pointing fore,
As I'm out to take a fence or two I've never jumped before.
I'll open up new country. No, I'll not be coming back.
Can you hear the heavenly music? It's the tonguing of the pack.

Godspeed Bill, we are all better for having known you!
Amanda and Gordon Clingan
BMH

In honor of Bill Wicks, I hope that somebody will blow "Going home" on a
good hunting horn.

I believe that every once in a while, God sends an angel to earth as a
reminder--to as many of us that the angel can reach--of that which all of us
humans ought to aspire to behave like, and that those particular people
remind us by example via they way they best comport themselves while they
spend time down here on earth.
It has seemed to me, from the first poste I read from Bill Wicks--via FOL,
that he might be one of those envoys. As the number of contributions from
Bill increased over time: his pervasive gentleness, articulate wisdom,
many-faceted sense of humor, and the subtle but thorough
sophistication/sensitivity which he graciously shared with us on this forum
became more and more obvious, charming, attractive, and pervasive. I would
be very *surprised if each messages he imparted did not *increase the effect
it had on whomever of us were privileged to enjoy and learn from what he
wrote/shared with us...at least, every poste had that cumulative effect on
me.
On top of that even, there's Bill's My Space site that Martyn directed us
to: http://groups.myspace.com/foxhuntersspace .
I am very grateful to Bill Wicks, will always be grateful to him; and, it
feels good anticipate that the effect of the man's gracefulness on me will
increase with time. I intend to *try not to mourn the (potential) gifts
that we might have been privy to were he still on Earth with us, but,
rather, I intend to value, appreciate, and enjoy how the depth and breadth
of my heart expanded during the time he was physically here with us. I'm
going to try my best to grow that part even larger.
The sound of the "going home" horn call has always seemed sad to me....but
exquisitely lovely.

Will somebody please be so kind as to extend my deepest sympathies to Bill
Wick's children and grandchildren for the terrible hurt and shock they must
be enduring right now?
Mary

As a new FOL'er, Bill welcomed me and his input to any thread amused me. I
was fortunate to meet him at the Centennial celebrations and however brief
that was, I knew right away that I had found a friend.

T'is a sad, sad day - my condolences to Bill's family.

K (Kay Leach)
OVH

FOL,

Something you may not know about Bill. I've been on the road and just
returned to hear. A huge tragedy for all who knew him and the foxhunting
world.

Bill was a huge supporter of the MFHA. He helped me with several fights
against the anti movement. He helped me organize the first ever USA
demonstration at the White House in support of foxhunting when Tony Blair
visited. He and I were the first to arrive in the pouring rain dressed in
hunting gear we were quite the site. We only had a handful of foxhunters
that showed up (very short notice, and bad weather. We didn't think anyone
would show up with such short notice so he took one side of the White House
and me the other to make sure anyone that did went to the right place. We
ended up with a couple of dozen foxhunters and a few foxhounds that
Elkridge-Harford's Geoff Hyde and Liz McKnight brought., Dennis Downing and
his daughter blew hunting horns, there were a few other. We all carried
pro-hunting placards. The secret service approached us and got a huge kick
out of us letting us right up against the fence behind the White House. We
know we got Blair attention when he drove by; we made a statement and got
some publicity in England but not much here. Bill would get involved with
anything I'd asked him to help with and many times in the anti crises he'd
call me to ask what he could do.

Bill, was a friend I greatly admired who got involved with the things he
loved, not only participating in the fun things but working hard with time,
effort and money to save country life styles.

My deepest, deepest sympathy to his family and those who loved him.

Dennis (Foster)

What a wonderful story, thank you for sharing...wish I had a photo of
that sight!

I only knew Bill through FOL, he seemed such a very, very genuine
person.

Sympathies to his family and loved ones

Kathryn

"My current sufferings aren't worth comparing to the glory that is being
revealed in my life."
Romans 8:18

This reminded me of Bill.....God Bless him and his family. May we honor him
with the best we have to offer each other.
Carla
Camargo

The Ballad Of The Foxhunter
by William Butler Yeats

'Lay me in a cushioned chair;
Carry me, ye four,
With cushions here and cushions there,
To see the world once more.

'To stable and to kennel go;
Bring what is there to bring;
Lead my Lollard to and fro,
Or gently in a ring.

'Put the chair upon the grass:
Bring Rody and his hounds,
That I may contented pass
From these earthly bounds.'

His eyelids droop, his head falls low,
His old eyes cloud with dreams;
The sun upon all things that grow
Falls in sleepy streams.

Brown Lollard treads upon the lawn,
And to the armchair goes,
And now the old man's dreams are gone,
He smooths the long brown nose.

And now moves many a pleasant tongue
Upon his wasted hands,
For leading aged hounds and young
The huntsman near him stands.

'Huntsmam Rody, blow the horn,
Make the hills reply.'
The huntsman loosens on the morn
A gay wandering cry.

Fire is in the old man's eyes,
His fingers move and sway,
And when the wandering music dies
They hear him feebly say,

'Huntsman Rody, blow the horn,
Make the hills reply.'
'I cannot blow upon my horn,
I can but weep and sigh.'

Servants round his cushioned place
Are with new sorrow wrung;
Hounds are gazing on his face,
Aged hounds and young.

One blind hound only lies apart
On the sun-smitten grass;
He holds deep commune with his heart:
The moments pass and pass:

The blind hound with a mournful din
Lifts slow his wintry head;
The servants bear the body in;
The hounds wail for the dead.

Barbara in southern Illinois

I have been online today crying at the tender words you all have been
sending. Hunting has lost a true friend. I never meet Bill in person. Was
hoping to
run into him this year at the hounds shows but did not. And as we all do at
one time or another thought would do it next year. Bill was not the only one
I did not have time to this year. I know for me and I hope for others to this
sad reminder how fast life can be gone will remind us to do today what we
would like and not went till next time as there may never be a next time.

This poem is to me says it all. I send my prays to his family and friends. I
have a feeling he is up there hunting with all the other great Foxhunters
that went before him. What a great pack that must be!!! Not only the best
foxes, hounds and horses but the best people all free from pain. I know
someday we
will all get to play up there and we will meet again. O what fun we will
have.

Anna Maire Leahy

I have never talked with Bill Wicks but am feeling his loss knowing he will no longer be sharing his wisdom through FOL. I have learned many things through him just by lurking. My condolences to his family and friends.

Take care.

Kathy and Gary Pritchard

Please convey North Hills' deepest sympathy to Bill's family and friends. I never met him in person but felt I knew him and what he stood for.

Bill has given us a lead over that dark fence we all have to take someday. All the best.

Bev. Crouter

North Hills Hunt

Liz please add me to the list of condolence senders

Ward (Black)

Please add me to the list of people who will miss Bill dearly. He was only an "internet friend", but I read all of his post with the hope of learning a bit more. This came so suddenly, I haven't had time to absorb the loss. His family must feel the same shock.
Jackie Burke

If you think the family would like them, please share the two Ogilvie poems.
Please also tell them that Christian and I send our love for Bill, and share it with them--we would be there if we could. Still hard to believe his wit and wisdom are now silent, except for those archives.

Rhonda
ONBH

Like Kathy, I'm stunned into near silence. All of you have expressed
my sentiments many times over. How can I be so moved by the loss of a
person I only knew, in person, for 10 days?

The Junior Handlers Trophy is a brilliant tribute. I hope here, on
FOL, we will continue Bill's practice of a brief, but warm welcome to
newcomers, and ongoing humor belying a deeper dedication to
foxhunting.

Please, anyone going in person to offer respects to
his family, mention that he will be missed on the west coast, as well
as the east.

Cindy Martin

It still does not seem that someone so kind could leave all of us so
quickly. It has caused me to take a deeper look into our own family and
friends and I intend to let all of them know how very special they are to me
this weekend. One never knows what tomorrow may bring. I only hope I am
able to leave this Earth with as much dignity and grace as dear Bill.

Frankie and Tom Pardoe

We will always remember Bill when a young child starts hunting, when we meet an animal in need of a family, when kindnesses are done for us by strangers. Bill left the world better than he found it, what more could we want or ask for?

Liz Williams and Jodi Gray

I'd like as well to express my sympathy to Bill's family and all his
friends especially those here on FOL. Altho' mostly just a lurker
here, Il alway looked forward to, and enjoyed Bill's humor,
knowledgible comments and his intense interest and commitment . I'm
very sorry that I never got to meet him.

Tom Dunbar

I have not been able to put together the right words to describe how I will
miss Bill's wonderful FOL entries and his knowledge. I have several printed
out and saved. There should be a way to better describe how close one can feel
to someone they have never met, but have come to know through the Internet
only. We all feel the loss almost as if we had coffee every morning with him ,
or actually shared a flask every evening.
I hope that someone who knew him better can write a really good article for
the Chronicle as well. His loss spreads beyond FOL, I know, and many that
aren't in this group may wish to hear of him.
My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Sincerely
Liz Brown
Camargo