efs4ever 3 #1 November 25, 2005 I heard Bill Ottley is on a respirator in a hosp. Any word on that?Russell M. Webb D 7014 Attorney at Law 713 385 5676 https://www.tdcparole.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #2 November 25, 2005 As of a few days ago I heard in an email he was on a respirator with fever and pneumonia. Doctors seem to be saying this is something he can recover from . . . All his vital signs were good. NickD BASE 194 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #3 November 26, 2005 QuoteAs of a few days ago I heard in an email he was on a respirator with fever and pneumonia. Doctors seem to be saying this is something he can recover from . . . All his vital signs were good. NickD BASE 194 I have known Bill for over 20 years and his vital signs were never good. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybill 22 #4 November 27, 2005 Hi Spark, Yup,that's a Sparky comment!!!!SCR-2034, SCS-680 III%, Deli-out Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cactusrose 0 #5 November 27, 2005 Anyone got an update on him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #6 November 28, 2005 WHO? I hope he's feeling better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MakeItHappen 15 #7 November 28, 2005 QuoteAnyone got an update on him? Mr. Ottley is still in the hospital. He is a little bit worse off. If you would like to send a message to him, please send it to USPA HQ. CNeedels_AT_uspa.org replace _AT_ with @ Bill enjoys hearing from fellow skydivers. Do it now. .. Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MakeItHappen 15 #8 November 30, 2005 Bill Ottley is now at The Washington Home 3720 Upton Street, N.W., Washington DC. 20016. His condition is deteriorating and the family asks that people reconsider visits. Bill has family and friends visiting him on a rotating basis. He is well-cared for. Chris Needels will pass emails or cards onto him. Cneedels_AT_uspa.org For the newer jumpers that do not know who Bill Ottley is, ask any jumper that has been jumping more than 15 years. Bill Ottley did a large number of great things for USPA and skydiving. He is one of the living legends. I haven't written a bio on him for ParachuteHistory.com because it would take too long. ;) There are many colorful stories about Bill Ottley. Just ask around. Bill Ottley was a USPA Director as well as the Executive Director. He brought USPA from the brink of bankruptcy to financial 'in the black' days that included purchasing the Duke St. property where HQ is today. The mortgage was paid off early and today is worth around $1.5M. (I'm not sure for sure, but I think the original purchase price was $385,000 to $400,000) Can I ask that a moderator make this thread a sticky? .. Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Raefordite 0 #9 December 1, 2005 http://www.jumpraeford.com/bob2003.htm The above was an event we hosted at Raeford Parachute Center in 2003 honoring Bill Ottley. We called it B.O.B. - the Bill Ottley Boogie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites LouDiamond 1 #10 December 1, 2005 Bill is a fantastic guy. I always enjoy talking with him when I see him, I hope his health improves. For those who do and don't know him click HERE"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MakeItHappen 15 #11 December 1, 2005 I recieved this email this morning from Chris Needels Bill Ottley passed away at 6:24 a.m.(eastern time) this morning. His suffering has at last ended; and skydiving has lost an icon. Bill had asked for a small memorial service followed by a very big party. And a very big party he will have indeed. In the near term he will be cremated, at his request, with the spreading of his ashes at a later date, most likely in conjunction with the service and the party. We love you, Bill. ............. Blue Skies Mr. Ottley. .. Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jumpergirl 0 #12 December 1, 2005 Blue skies, Bill. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites LouDiamond 1 #13 December 1, 2005 I am utterly blown away, this is a very sad day. I am glad that I was able to know Bill and call him a friend. We have truely lost an Icon in this sport and he will be missed. My deepest sympathies go out to his family."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites upndownshop 0 #14 December 1, 2005 I remember all the stories my mother would tell me when she was working with him as president of USPA. I remember meeting him for the first time when I was 15 at one of the first the para-ski meets. I of course wasnt jumping yet and my parents (who dont drink) let me hang out with him and even have a couple of beers. I was amazed that my father let me do that. I had a great time with Bill. 20 years later I saw him again, and he said I remember you!!! And then he asked if I was the same Schrimsher boy that landed on the hangar in 1993. I said yup that happened 10 years ago Bill, damm you have a great memory. Saw him 3-4 times at he last couple of PIA Symposiums and he always remembered the hangar.. You will be missed but never forgotten. I guess now you and Jerry can do some catching up. BSBD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MakeItHappen 15 #15 December 1, 2005 Here is a 'famous' picture of Ottley. .. Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Stacy 0 #16 December 1, 2005 I have some great memories of Bill. We built and named the bar at Cross Keys "Ottleys." Bill was there for the dedication, and did hte first shot off one of our packers that evening. It was an absolute hoot. He was always a bright face to be around. Blue ONes, Bill!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites airtwardo 7 #17 December 1, 2005 Blue Skies Mr. Ottley. *** Blue Skies Bill. Bill use to stay with my roomie, Mark Limond and I from time to time when he visited San Diego. A decade back, my then girl friend now wife was involved in an Around The World Air Race... I went with her to Washington DC to meet with the director of the U.S. part of the race... Quite a surprise when W.H.O. walks in with a fist full of paperwork and says "Hello Jim, still jumping?" Bill took us out to dinner at some private 'D.C.' club, and went well out of his way to smooth out the bumps for her... Definitely a 'Man For All Seasons' was Bill Ottley. I got to spend some time once again with him two years ago, when he came to the Kitty Hawk Century of Flight demo. He will me missed. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sinker 0 #18 December 1, 2005 BS, Bill, BS forever... -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites peek 21 #19 December 1, 2005 First Don, now Bill. Not a good year for skydiving. When we got emails from Chris N. giving us updates on Bill's condition, he said he would pass along messages. Well, I waited about a day too long. By the time I thought of a message to send Bill, Chris said he was unresponsive. So folks, there is a lesson for us. Don't wait too long to tell your friends important things. My message to Bill? "Bill, you can't get sick and die on us now. We have a lot more drinking to do together at BOD meetings!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mjosparky 4 #20 December 1, 2005 R.I.P. Bill. Thanks for the Ottley number. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites krkeenan 0 #21 December 1, 2005 QuoteBill Ottley passed away at 6:24 a.m.(eastern time) this morning... Last week at the CRW World Record jumps in Lake Wales FL, we gathered up a lot of messages that were to be passed to Bill. Hopefully, he received them and they added to the other messages he had been receiving since his illness. I hope he got the message that jumpers all over the country were grateful for the service he had rendered and the good that he had done for all of us. Bill Ottley considered the advancement of skydiving to be his life's work. He succeeded admirably. Blue Skies, Bill. Kevin====================== Seasons don't fear the Reaper, nor do the Wind, the Sun, or the Rain... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Vertifly 0 #22 December 1, 2005 Oh my God. For some reason, I thought of a conversation I had with Bill, at Lake Whales, on the way to work this morning at around 7:15AM. I stole his golf cart for a minute and he yelled at me. Sorry again about that, Bill. Bill and I had a chat and he asked me about how Stuey Neuman was doing and the rest of the Crosskeys crew. In the short time of speaking to Bill, he seemed like he loved not only the sport but all of the people in it. He forgave me for the golf cart issue and explained that he really needed it to get around. =8^T Blue Sky's forever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites diverdriver 5 #23 December 1, 2005 Blue Skies Bill. See yah later. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Rainbo 0 #24 December 2, 2005 BSBD Bill. I wish I had the chance to see two more of my old friends before the chance was gone forever.Rainbo TheSpeedTriple - Speed is everything "Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and take without forgetting." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites daveverner 0 #25 December 2, 2005 I have known Bill for a loonnggg time, and he will be missed by many. I'll say one thing tho, while he was here he lived life to the fullest...so long friend blue skies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
MakeItHappen 15 #7 November 28, 2005 QuoteAnyone got an update on him? Mr. Ottley is still in the hospital. He is a little bit worse off. If you would like to send a message to him, please send it to USPA HQ. CNeedels_AT_uspa.org replace _AT_ with @ Bill enjoys hearing from fellow skydivers. Do it now. .. Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MakeItHappen 15 #8 November 30, 2005 Bill Ottley is now at The Washington Home 3720 Upton Street, N.W., Washington DC. 20016. His condition is deteriorating and the family asks that people reconsider visits. Bill has family and friends visiting him on a rotating basis. He is well-cared for. Chris Needels will pass emails or cards onto him. Cneedels_AT_uspa.org For the newer jumpers that do not know who Bill Ottley is, ask any jumper that has been jumping more than 15 years. Bill Ottley did a large number of great things for USPA and skydiving. He is one of the living legends. I haven't written a bio on him for ParachuteHistory.com because it would take too long. ;) There are many colorful stories about Bill Ottley. Just ask around. Bill Ottley was a USPA Director as well as the Executive Director. He brought USPA from the brink of bankruptcy to financial 'in the black' days that included purchasing the Duke St. property where HQ is today. The mortgage was paid off early and today is worth around $1.5M. (I'm not sure for sure, but I think the original purchase price was $385,000 to $400,000) Can I ask that a moderator make this thread a sticky? .. Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raefordite 0 #9 December 1, 2005 http://www.jumpraeford.com/bob2003.htm The above was an event we hosted at Raeford Parachute Center in 2003 honoring Bill Ottley. We called it B.O.B. - the Bill Ottley Boogie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #10 December 1, 2005 Bill is a fantastic guy. I always enjoy talking with him when I see him, I hope his health improves. For those who do and don't know him click HERE"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MakeItHappen 15 #11 December 1, 2005 I recieved this email this morning from Chris Needels Bill Ottley passed away at 6:24 a.m.(eastern time) this morning. His suffering has at last ended; and skydiving has lost an icon. Bill had asked for a small memorial service followed by a very big party. And a very big party he will have indeed. In the near term he will be cremated, at his request, with the spreading of his ashes at a later date, most likely in conjunction with the service and the party. We love you, Bill. ............. Blue Skies Mr. Ottley. .. Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpergirl 0 #12 December 1, 2005 Blue skies, Bill. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #13 December 1, 2005 I am utterly blown away, this is a very sad day. I am glad that I was able to know Bill and call him a friend. We have truely lost an Icon in this sport and he will be missed. My deepest sympathies go out to his family."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
upndownshop 0 #14 December 1, 2005 I remember all the stories my mother would tell me when she was working with him as president of USPA. I remember meeting him for the first time when I was 15 at one of the first the para-ski meets. I of course wasnt jumping yet and my parents (who dont drink) let me hang out with him and even have a couple of beers. I was amazed that my father let me do that. I had a great time with Bill. 20 years later I saw him again, and he said I remember you!!! And then he asked if I was the same Schrimsher boy that landed on the hangar in 1993. I said yup that happened 10 years ago Bill, damm you have a great memory. Saw him 3-4 times at he last couple of PIA Symposiums and he always remembered the hangar.. You will be missed but never forgotten. I guess now you and Jerry can do some catching up. BSBD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MakeItHappen 15 #15 December 1, 2005 Here is a 'famous' picture of Ottley. .. Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stacy 0 #16 December 1, 2005 I have some great memories of Bill. We built and named the bar at Cross Keys "Ottleys." Bill was there for the dedication, and did hte first shot off one of our packers that evening. It was an absolute hoot. He was always a bright face to be around. Blue ONes, Bill!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #17 December 1, 2005 Blue Skies Mr. Ottley. *** Blue Skies Bill. Bill use to stay with my roomie, Mark Limond and I from time to time when he visited San Diego. A decade back, my then girl friend now wife was involved in an Around The World Air Race... I went with her to Washington DC to meet with the director of the U.S. part of the race... Quite a surprise when W.H.O. walks in with a fist full of paperwork and says "Hello Jim, still jumping?" Bill took us out to dinner at some private 'D.C.' club, and went well out of his way to smooth out the bumps for her... Definitely a 'Man For All Seasons' was Bill Ottley. I got to spend some time once again with him two years ago, when he came to the Kitty Hawk Century of Flight demo. He will me missed. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #18 December 1, 2005 BS, Bill, BS forever... -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peek 21 #19 December 1, 2005 First Don, now Bill. Not a good year for skydiving. When we got emails from Chris N. giving us updates on Bill's condition, he said he would pass along messages. Well, I waited about a day too long. By the time I thought of a message to send Bill, Chris said he was unresponsive. So folks, there is a lesson for us. Don't wait too long to tell your friends important things. My message to Bill? "Bill, you can't get sick and die on us now. We have a lot more drinking to do together at BOD meetings!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #20 December 1, 2005 R.I.P. Bill. Thanks for the Ottley number. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krkeenan 0 #21 December 1, 2005 QuoteBill Ottley passed away at 6:24 a.m.(eastern time) this morning... Last week at the CRW World Record jumps in Lake Wales FL, we gathered up a lot of messages that were to be passed to Bill. Hopefully, he received them and they added to the other messages he had been receiving since his illness. I hope he got the message that jumpers all over the country were grateful for the service he had rendered and the good that he had done for all of us. Bill Ottley considered the advancement of skydiving to be his life's work. He succeeded admirably. Blue Skies, Bill. Kevin====================== Seasons don't fear the Reaper, nor do the Wind, the Sun, or the Rain... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vertifly 0 #22 December 1, 2005 Oh my God. For some reason, I thought of a conversation I had with Bill, at Lake Whales, on the way to work this morning at around 7:15AM. I stole his golf cart for a minute and he yelled at me. Sorry again about that, Bill. Bill and I had a chat and he asked me about how Stuey Neuman was doing and the rest of the Crosskeys crew. In the short time of speaking to Bill, he seemed like he loved not only the sport but all of the people in it. He forgave me for the golf cart issue and explained that he really needed it to get around. =8^T Blue Sky's forever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 5 #23 December 1, 2005 Blue Skies Bill. See yah later. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rainbo 0 #24 December 2, 2005 BSBD Bill. I wish I had the chance to see two more of my old friends before the chance was gone forever.Rainbo TheSpeedTriple - Speed is everything "Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and take without forgetting." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveverner 0 #25 December 2, 2005 I have known Bill for a loonnggg time, and he will be missed by many. I'll say one thing tho, while he was here he lived life to the fullest...so long friend blue skies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
