BillH 0 #1 May 16, 2015 News posted on his Facebook page by his daughter, Melissa, that Billy has passed away. She was notified by local law enforcement and not many more details are forthcoming right now. What a great guy, mentor and teacher to many of us. RIP Billy. Say Hello to Don and Rick for us. Bill Hanrahan AFF I (thanks to Billy, Don, and a select few others) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt36 6 #2 May 16, 2015 Sorry to hear this.... At one point in my skydiving life, I felt I had not been my normal self, if I did not get kicked off Billy's DZ.....lol Thanks for so much AFF work in your lifetime!!! Check's in the mail......Practice random acts of kindness, and senseless beauty... And, give money for Mr Douglas! www.mrdouglas.org Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #3 May 16, 2015 Blue ones Billy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ksaylor1 0 #4 May 17, 2015 Course Director for my AFFIRC. Jumped with him a lot - not as much as many others here, but boy, were they memorable. What a character. Blue skies, Billy. Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toolbox 0 #5 May 17, 2015 Billy busted my balls. I normally have a cast iron gut but after the second day of the course I had the worst heartburn I've ever had. He took this sport very seriously and always stressed safety above all else. When you passed a Billy Rhodes course you were as prepared as you could be for the real world of AFF. I liked him a lot,and had a huge respect for him,but hey I'm just an old logger from Washington state. Blue skies Billy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trumanjsparks 0 #6 May 17, 2015 I earned my AFF rating from Billy, and then became an Evaluator for him. Friend, mentor, and pain in my ass. Much respect. Broken hearts and dirty windows make it difficult to see. That's why last night and this morning always look the same to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuFantasma 0 #7 May 17, 2015 I still remember a course he taught in Skydive Atlanta (circa 2003-2004).... Billy teaching AFF course and he couldn't find his deployment handle, straight to silver. On the ground we learned, if it can happen to Billy it can happen to you .... God bless his soul ... RIP BSBD... we are all going to die, but not today...Y yo, pa' vivir con miedo, prefiero morir sonriendo, con el recuerdo vivo". - Ruben Blades, "Adan Garcia" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NovaTTT 1 #8 May 17, 2015 Sorry to learn this. Earned a Billyworld sticker when he banned me from the dz for a month. Never blamed him, as I did it. As a very young jumper he let me follow the 40-way out of Mr D, one of my most memorable skydives. Blues, Billy."Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3331 107 #9 May 18, 2015 A parting glass for Billy, just like he'd want it.Turn your speakers on! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FD5xQVqmAU I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillH 0 #10 May 18, 2015 Found this over on his Facebook page... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdobleman 0 #11 May 18, 2015 Jumped with Billy and other Georgia guys at Quincy before he became an AFF guru. He had to buy 10 cases of beer to stay on Piras' record attempt. Sorry I never ran into him after that. Blue skies, madjohn Main goals in life: Be on the "Jumpers Over Eighty" (JOE) World Record and attend the Lost Prairie Boogie once after I'm gone. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oozzee 0 #12 May 19, 2015 Billy failed me on my first attempt at the AFF rating Eloy early 1997,,,,,Emphasized the positive...let me down easy..Passed the course 6 weeks later in Perris,,,,,INTEGRITY,,,Quote Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites maadmax 0 #13 May 22, 2015 He was a legend, sold me my first rig. His passing leaves a void. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skygypsie 2 #14 May 22, 2015 Oh no ! This is so sad to hear ! Both my husband & I send our respects to a great guy & one of Brad's mentors ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites carolf 0 #15 May 30, 2015 Lots of Billy World stories from Jenkinsburg, GA! And lots of strong opinions until the end! Billy sure was a character - and a great skydiver! I will miss his FaceBooks posts....it was always fun to see what he would post...my prayers to the family and friends Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 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
maadmax 0 #13 May 22, 2015 He was a legend, sold me my first rig. His passing leaves a void. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygypsie 2 #14 May 22, 2015 Oh no ! This is so sad to hear ! Both my husband & I send our respects to a great guy & one of Brad's mentors ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carolf 0 #15 May 30, 2015 Lots of Billy World stories from Jenkinsburg, GA! And lots of strong opinions until the end! Billy sure was a character - and a great skydiver! I will miss his FaceBooks posts....it was always fun to see what he would post...my prayers to the family and friends Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
