Yes, many of us have also heard the sad news via a post that was made here on Thursday and have expressed our sympathies.

http://www.thechipboard.com/index.cgi/page/1/md/read/id/1085372/sbj/passing-of-a-fellow-chipper/

Your appreciative detailed comments in your post are a tribute to a pioneer in Bill's passion for what he collected ... "wooden money". He truly was a remarkable and dedicated individual.