Bill Black...lots of memories

I met Bill in 1971, at what was then known as Southwest Texas State University, during the first bike boom as we called it. I was riding a 40lb Schwinn Varsity and he was cruising around on some high-end french road bike. Over the next three years I bought a better bike, or two, went to work as a bike mechanic for him at Pandemonium Bikes in San Marcos and learned to ride and race over the Texas hill country. Somewhere in there we both managed to graduate, Bill with a Master of Arts. As the years accumulated we each went our own way, but we always seemed to hook up and reconnect. If it hadn't been for Bill I wouldn't have bicycled England, motorcycled Canada and learned how to shoot a pistol. His intellect, intensity and bravery will be missed...

Sunday, September 6, 2009

The Early Years


Some of my best life experiences were with Bill, particularly the bicycle and motorcycle trips. This image is from a scanned negative, back when both my camera and my photography skills left a bit to be desired. You can see a few more here.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I worked with Bill in the theater in the mid-seventies when he was performing with the Wholesome Junk Band at the Melodrama Theater. I got to know him through our performing experiences and he sold me my first bike. I got to know him as a serious cyclist and bike racer. Also Bill shared some of his writing with me which showed a special gift there. All I can say from learning more about his fykk life is that the man I knew who was an extraordinary person at that time, only became more extraordinary over time- a true Renaissance man. I am so glad that I finally learned more about the rest of Bill's life and the legacy he has left behind.What a gift to have know him.

Ralph Mawyer, Jr. said...

Thanks Bobby(?)...Ralph

Jim Randall op said...

Bill black came to the UK way back in the late 80's and stayed with us in York with his wife. They were on a cycling trip and made some good friends among the York police IPA group. We greatly regretted his passing. Because a larger than life character in our small city and had some good stories to tell. We greatly regretted his passing. Jim boam by police retired 1995 after 32 years