Bill Ottley

[flyhi 24]

I seem to remember in the late 70's, the Smithsonian Air And Space Museum did a tribute to skydiving and simulated a life-size 4-way star formation, suspended from the ceiling. I believe one of the figures represented Bill O (I think one of the others was Jerry Bird. Can't remember 3 and 4.). He was recognized for the great things he did for our sport way back then.

Never met the man, but am benefitting from his accomplishments to this day. BSBD

Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

[airtwardo 7]

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I seem to remember in the late 70's, the Smithsonian Air And Space Museum did a tribute to skydiving and simulated a life-size 4-way star formation, suspended from the ceiling. I believe one of the figures represented Bill O (I think one of the others was Jerry Bird. Can't remember 3 and 4.). He was recognized for the great things he did for our sport way back then.

Never met the man, but am benefitting from his accomplishments to this day. BSBD

***

San Diego Air & Space museum....

I have a pic of Bill standing under it somewhere around here...

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

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R.I.P. Bill. Thanks for the Ottley number.

Sparky

BWAHAHAHA!! You got THAT right, my brother!!!!!

Chuck

[wdy_bnckr 0]

Well said Dave. I met Bill in 65 when he came down to see Chris Lowery. We took him to Fairfax, S.C. and he made some of those $1.25 30 second delays. He couldn't believe it. Made him a member of our Viking Parachute Team and called him the team fossil. He was a greatguy and did the sport alot of good..Woody Binnicker D624

[billbooth 10]

Bill was Mr. USPA. His contributions to this sport cannot be overstated. We were on the same relative work team at the '72 nationals, and I thought of him as "ancient" even then. We have been good friends ever since. I will miss him.

[stl135 0]

Blue Skies Bill...Another empty seat...

[mjosparky 4]

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R.I.P. Bill. Thanks for the Ottley number.

Sparky

BWAHAHAHA!! You got THAT right, my brother!!!!!

Chuck

Shame on you.

Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[Raefordite 0]

We'll all miss you each day Bill.

With Christmas just around the corner, I will especially be missing the very special Christmas card Bill used to send each year.
Kate

[Usetawuz 1]

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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.

.

All my words fail.

Blue Skies, Bill, Blue Skies

_________________________________________
The older I get, the better I was!

[DoctorNic 0]

Met Bill in Clewiston, 1963...he and DZO Paul Poppenhaeger (D-47) had arguments from which I learned much. Was fortunate enough this past January to have Bill press me into service pushing his wheelchair around the Jax convention as we exchanged stories, insults and such.

Bill now needs no wheelchair...nor some stinkin' airplane to make the Sunset Load...I can feel his freedom grinning.

Doctor Nic o' Them Toadsuckers

[mouth 0]

Blue Skies, Bill. I only met you once at RPC but it is a meeting I'll never....I repeat NEVER forget.

Fly free...save me a seat and a drink.

--
Hot Mama
At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit.

[jcrouch 0]

Bill's obituary is in the Washington Post today.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/03/AR2005120301211.\
html

[ltdiver 3]

Link was broken. Here it is again.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/03/AR2005120301211.html

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[airtwardo 7]

Thanks...

I was trying to find it via Google and couldn't.


But I did find some very interesting stuff on Bill.

Like back in '67 he was on the Tonight Show giving Johnny an impromptu Skydiving lesson.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[ltdiver 3]

No problem. Went to washingtonpost.com and typed "Bill Ottley" in the search engine there.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[freakyrat 1]

I still can remember my "ferris wheel" dive with Bill at one of the Freakbrother Conventions in Freeport, Il. Bill got a little bloody nose from it but was still happy and cheerful afterwards.

Blue Skies Bill

Chris

[katiebear21 0]

Wow, I'm so sad to hear this news. BSBD, Bill.

Katie
Get your PMS glass necklace here

[darkwing 5]

I remember an impassioned plea that Bill gave at the 1979 World Meet. The problem was that someone had stolen the Chinese flag, and the Chinese thought it was an insult (when it was actually high praise). Bill spoke eloquently on the socio-political ramifications of the theft, and asked us to return it. I am not aware that it was anyone on the US team that lifted it. I think it eventually got returned though.

I will miss him, his Christmas cards, and his stories, at least some of which were true.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[obelixtim 150]

I met Bill in 1977 when he came down to NZ with craig Fronk, they stayed at my place for a few days.....I cooked a roast leg of lamb for dinner one night and he ate the whole thing himself.....he loved that stuff.....made me go and get him another one for the next night as well.....

Met him again in 1992 in China...he recognised me right away.....looked a little ragged round the edges back then.....but still the same bloke....party animal from hell....

He was a legend and backed it up with an attitude and ability to make friends that couldn't be matched. One of lifes gems for sure.

Rest easy old pal....we'll see you on the other side one of these days.....

My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

[skybill 22]

To All,
In spite of his failing health, I was hoping he'd pull thru and come back to Raeford again sometime to get escorted around in Gene Paul's Golf cart and just be WHO. Now, he's gone and it is a shock. That Big Star UP-THERE just added another slot. Fly on Bill.

SCR-2034, SCS-680

III%,
Deli-out