Dearest Bill,

Your sudden passing was a terrible shock, but I am deeply thankful that you felt no pain. I do not understand how such a large presence could just be gone.

Even in my sadness, I am grateful to have shared your life. Thirty-seven years together was a true gift. You filled your journey with love and creativity, and you never let past trauma or health struggles harden your gentle heart or diminish your generous spirit. From you, I learned the value of authenticity and the importance of standing by one’s principles. One of your final gifts to me was building a camper to replace tenting. We shared so many adventures, and you will be with me in the future, every time I see something beautiful or awe-inspiring.

For your life’s work, you bravely chose to retire early so you could learn new skills and pursue your many passions instead of spending your life working for someone else. The sudden passing of a colleague helped shape that choice; he had worked hard and saved for a retirement he never had the chance to enjoy. You chose to take yours while you still could—a valuable lesson that none of us knows how much time we have.

Childhood demons eventually surfaced bringing PTSD, anxiety and depression. These battles may have been isolating, but you did your resilient best. I immensely appreciated that you had the strength to sever ties with your dismal past, breaking the cycle so they did not keep on poisoning you. You protected me and us but continued to carry those shadows alone.

Starting in your 30s you became a self-taught musician and gear hound. Bands included A Luna Red, Droom, Virtues & Failings, and many independent projects. You had vinyl albums and CDs published, and you performed live in front of large and small audiences. Tour experiences added many epic stories to your repertoire (the kitten encounter, sketchy vans, your band name on billboards, travel panics, gang areas, questionable venues and colorful people). You never stopped creating, exploring and learning. Your online music and photo archives are a treasure to me and will bring a smile to the hearts of people who know you.

https://www.tiktok.com/@williamwins?_r=1&_t=ZS-97UFGB1RxRw

https://www.instagram.com/winslowhansen?igsh=a2ducG1kZWNiMWo4

You had the charm and ability to reach people and enjoyed engaging with strangers - the differently abled, all generations and nations, despite language barriers, including the people who looked scary to others. Even children felt comfortable with you (“You remind me of Shrek!”) Your memory for faces and facts and wide range of interests made it so you never ran out of things to talk about.

You lived greedily, always hunting for the next experience. Photography followed music and allowed you to feel in touch with the eagles, white raven, bears, fox, lone wolf, the stars and whatever else crossed your lens and inspired you. You immersed yourself with childlike enthusiasm in every hobby and interest: electric bikes, telescopes, boom boxes, vintage cars, airplanes and more.

Your life was marked by the loss of friends, family, and loved ones—including many cherished animals who held a special place in your heart. Each passing wounded you deeply, and I like to imagine you reunited with them all somewhere, with every scar finally healed.

You are a loyal friend, and you never let me doubt your love. Bill, you will always be my first love. I treasure the memories and I will miss you.

Juliette