Fresh out of Mary Ann’s class, I was fortunate enough to meet Bill who agreed to play with a student who needed a seasoned player to get her/him started in duplicate bridge. So began our association in the Spring of 2007. Bill taught me that bridge was fun as well as somewhat serious, and definitely competitive. He taught me to relax and overcome my fear of the people who seemed to know everything about the game. He had no idea of his master point count…. “so unimportant,” he’d say. But he was thrilled when I got my first few points.

Bill was one of the most considerate persons I have ever met. He prepared hand written bridge lessons for me to study, came over to my house where he helped me bid and play hands, showed me how I could improve my game after I obviously bombed, and he encouraged me to keep playing when I came close to abandoning the game. And today, I’m pretty glad that I didn’t!

And Bill was very thoughtful. I once mentioned that I really liked Bev Tillberry’s Game Day Apple Cake and would like to get the recipe someday. While I was recovering from some minor surgery and away from the bridge games, Bill dropped by with the recipe. I don’t think I know of any man who would have remembered my casual interest in a recipe, much less get it and bring it over!

People like Bill touch us in unique and special ways; cherish your unique memories and thoughts of our special friend—Bill Wannen. May his soul rest in peace.