RIP Bill Stroud

Buddie Hrabal · Post by **Buddie Hrabal** » 24 Jul 2011 10:59 am

Sorry to hear of his passing. Again the Steel Guitar Industry has lost another great asset and a great person.
RIP Bill
Buddie Hrabal

Al Brisco · Post by **Al Brisco** » 24 Jul 2011 11:25 am

Another trend setter lost!!

Bill & I have been good friends for years...always re-newing our friendship at the St. Louis & Dallas steel shows.

He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him as well as those who have had the privilage of using his remarkable BJS tone bars!

RIP dear friend!
Al Brisco
Steel Guitars of Canada

George Brown · Post by **George Brown** » 24 Jul 2011 11:36 am

I'm So Sorry too hear of Bills Passing. I had Hopes that he would beat that Terrible disease, but God saw fit to call him home, and God Always knows Best. I only knew Bill through the Forum, but always counted him as a Good Friend. My Prayers, and Thoughts are, and will be with his Family. May God grant them the Strength, and Comfort that they will Surely need...
George...

Jonathan Cullifer · Post by **Jonathan Cullifer** » 24 Jul 2011 11:39 am

I'm sorry to hear this. I have many good memories of him in St. Louis. Prayers to his family.

Bob Cox · Post by **Bob Cox** » 24 Jul 2011 11:47 am

So sorry to hear about this. Bill was a big part of
of the steel guitar world and we will miss him .
I will always remember him as I play, useing that wonderful bar he made me. Go Rest High.

Bill Miller · Post by **Bill Miller** » 24 Jul 2011 12:05 pm

I am very sorry to hear of this also. I never met Bill and only communicated with him about his products by email on a couple of occasions. But he seems to have had a rare ability to connect with people in a very positive way, even without ever meeting them face to face. My sincere condolences to his family.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 24 Jul 2011 2:31 pm

I'm very saddened to hear this. The man has been an institution in the steel guitar community, and his bars are testament to his craftsmanship and integrity. RIP, and my prayers go out to his family.

Junior Knight · Post by **Junior Knight** » 24 Jul 2011 3:25 pm

just now got back from vacation..so so sorry to read this,such a great person! RIP my friend!

Jeremiah Hanley · Post by **Jeremiah Hanley** » 24 Jul 2011 6:34 pm

I had heard of Bill Stroud for several years, but didn't get to meet him until about 5 years ago at the ISGC. Our conversation was mainly about the Lord Jesus Christ! I could tell by the look in his eyes and the sound in his voice and his choice of words made it very clear, that his testimony was strong in the Lord! I could tell he loved the Lord! Our prayers are with his family!

Tommy Minniear · Post by **Tommy Minniear** » 25 Jul 2011 5:34 am

I am really sorry to learn of Bill's passing. He was a good man and a great craftsman. I'd like to add my sincere condolonces and sympathies to Bill's family and friends.

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 25 Jul 2011 8:13 am

My sincere condolences to Bill's family and friends.

His BJS bars are something that very few of the players here don't have or wish to have. He's left quite a legacy in the steel guitar community.

DeWitt Scott · Post by **DeWitt Scott** » 25 Jul 2011 10:37 am

This is bad news! I was at the show in Denver and just now heard about his passing. I've known Bill for 20 years and never met a nicer person. Bill gave away a Gold plated bar mounted on a nice wooden stand and I was lucky enough to have received one. In fact, I have two of them. When Jerry Byrd passed away I was given his bar. That is just one area where Bill stood out above the rest. His non pedal "Jerry Byrd" bar is one of my favorites. He will be sadly missed! Scotty

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 25 Jul 2011 12:56 pm

I met and got to know Bill 4 years ago. We hit it off from the start. No matter where we were he always met me with a hug. 3 years ago in Mount Vernon
I was at his booth I had found a bar I really liked.
You like that bar don't you he said. Whats not to like was my answer, He then put in a bar bag and gave it to me. I insited on paying for it but he refused to take a dime. Money isn't everything he said. Giving a friend a gift was more important to him than all money in the world. I will always cherish my bar and above all I will cherish our friendship.
Rest in peace my friend. I love and miss you.

Joe Rouse · Post by **Joe Rouse** » 25 Jul 2011 3:19 pm

I met Bill 3 years ago at the Dallas Steel Guitar Show and got to know him a little, enough to know he was a good man. I ended up buying a bar from him since I had left my other BJS bar at home...I'll cherish them both..My thoughts and prayers for the family...Thank you Bill...jr
I'm going to finish the story...I told Bill I had left my BJS bar at home and asked if he had an old bar I could buy, he said no but he'd just loan me one until I didn't need it anymore. I borrowed that bar for about 4 hours and went back and paid him for it..He said I didn't have to pay for it, he knew I'd bring it back..In a few short hours he became my friend...God Bless You Brother...jr

Jim Means · Post by **Jim Means** » 25 Jul 2011 4:33 pm

Haven't been on much and just now saw this. What a shock, even though I knew he was having a tough time. It is a great loss to the steel guitar community and an even greater loss to his family and close friends. Bill and I had mutual friends and I always enjoyed visiting with him. Like most of you all here, I own a couple of his bars too. May God give his family and friends comfort and peace at this time.

Jim and Helen Means

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 25 Jul 2011 9:12 pm

This thread is a testament to what a sweet spirit Bill was...
You will be missed my friend. Our prayers go up to the devine one for his family.

pdl20 · Post by **pdl20** » 25 Jul 2011 9:35 pm

I am so sorry to hear this , I have 2 of his bars. will miss seeing him in Dallas.Rest in Gods Loving Arms my friend.

Dana Stewart · Post by **Dana Stewart** » 26 Jul 2011 5:46 am

I am so sad to see this news. Our prayers will be with family.

The Stewarts

Jerry Lee Newberry · Post by **Jerry Lee Newberry** » 26 Jul 2011 5:53 am

So sorry to hear this sad news. He was such a good man. He was always so good to Jerry and Austin. We have some of his bars also. He will be missed greatly.

Donna

David Young · Post by **David Young** » 26 Jul 2011 6:06 am

I knew that Mr. Bill had been sick, but I've been off the forum lately, so this post certainly catches me offguard. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that you, your family, and your friends are in my prayers at this time. I'll continue to pray for you in the coming days as well. I didn't get to meet your Dad, but I am friends with many of his friends in the steel guitar family. We all share in your grief, and understand having to say bye to someone so dear to us. Please take comfort in knowing that a reunion day awaits those who put thier trust in the Lord! Our sorrow will be turned into Joy!

...Bro. David

Dan Burnham · Post by **Dan Burnham** » 26 Jul 2011 12:24 pm

I had the privilege to get to know Bill about 20 years ago. Bill was the one of the reasons I started playing pedal steel guitar. In fact, I can't tell you how many times I was over his house asking for help on how to hold a bar, place picks, etc., Bill was never to busy to make time for me.
Bill not only made a great bar, but was an excellent steel guitar player. Most of you might not know this but Bill would represent Sierra at the different shows, and has played out all over the United States playing the shows on stage with the big names.
Bill loved people and loved the steel guitar community.
The greatest gift I ever got from Bill took place about 2 months ago. You see, I'm a Microsoft Certified System Engineer by trade, and since Bill was a close friend I did all of his computer work for him. Whenever he needed computer help he would call and I would go fix the problem. After Don built me my 14 string Julian Tharpe model, I called Bill, and at the time you could make out what he was saying and I asked him if he had a 14 string bar I could buy, he told me he had one but I couldn't buy it, but he wanted me to come by the house.
When I got to the house we went out to his shop and he handed me a 14 string bar, and told me he wanted me to have it. I told him I would pay for it, but he refused. After hugging his neck, I asked Bill about the green jewel in the bar, this is what he told me,
" Dan this was the second bar that I made for Julian Tharpe and he died before he got it, I know how much you loved Julian's playing and I want you to have it."
No greater gift could I have gotten. Bill was a dear friend to all of us, not only will I miss the friendship but the conversations and fellowship. If ever a man walked with Christ, it was Bill Stroud. Continue to pray for the family,

Dan (BMI)

Benton Allen · Post by **Benton Allen** » 26 Jul 2011 4:34 pm

So sorry to hear of Mr. Bill's passing. He was a fine gentleman, and a credit to the Steel Guitar community.
He will be greatly missed.
My prayers and thoughts with Bill's family.

Benton

Bob Callaway · Post by **Bob Callaway** » 26 Jul 2011 5:25 pm

We will certainly miss Bill. He was my friend as well as a good person. All who knew him feels this loss. God bless and comfort those who grieve.
Bob&Barb Callaway, Margit Stepp with Derby Steel.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 26 Jul 2011 6:25 pm

It is truly saddening to hear of Bills' passing, I always looked forward to catching up with him at the Dallas show -- his bars have been part of my playing since the early 80's. Bill was an absolute gem of a man and will be greatly missed.

Al Vesel · Post by **Al Vesel** » 27 Jul 2011 1:55 am

I, also am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I also never met Bill, but talked to him many times on the phone. He was a fine gentleman and will be missed by all. My condolences to his family. God Bless.

Al Vesel

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