RIP Bill Stroud

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 27 Jul 2011 3:28 am

What sad news. As everyone here related, Bill was a kind, gracious man who will be missed by those who knew him .

Lynn Stafford · Post by **Lynn Stafford** » 27 Jul 2011 6:59 am

Bill will be greatly missed by me and everyone else in our community. Bill Stroud was a fine gentleman. I'm proud to have known him and equally proud to say that I have been using his fine quality bars and picks for the last 30 years.

Please extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to Bill's family.

Sincerely,

Lynn and Kathy Stafford

Keith Hilton · Post by **Keith Hilton** » 27 Jul 2011 11:18 am

I am sad to hear about Bill. I knew he was fighting cancer. We love you Bill.

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 27 Jul 2011 2:29 pm

Bill will certainly be missed. One of the nicest men I ever met in the Steel Guitar Community.R.I.P. my friend.

James and Tree

Tommy Young · Post by **Tommy Young** » 27 Jul 2011 6:32 pm

My deepest sympathies to his family,,, he will be dearly missed he loved our steel guitar world so much..

Tony Rankin · Post by **Tony Rankin** » 28 Jul 2011 10:56 am

Bill had a terrific impact on the steel guitar community because so many of us are users of (and love) his BJS brand bar. A lot of us were even fortunate enough to meet Bill and to get to know him because of his bars. His presence in our "community" will be missed.

May God bless and comfort Bill's family in this time of loss.

John Norris · Post by **John Norris** » 28 Jul 2011 12:02 pm

This is terrible news, I always enjoyed meeting Bill at the Dallas and St. Louis shows, he was a true gentleman and a great spirit.
I'm proud to have known him.
My deepest sympathies to his wife and family.

Jeff Valentine · Post by **Jeff Valentine** » 28 Jul 2011 8:40 pm

I just heard this terrible news today. I never met Bill, but had the pleasure of speaking with him on the phone a number of times. The few conversations we had let me know how kind and generous a man he was. My heartfelt thoughts go out to his family.

-Jeff

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 29 Jul 2011 3:36 am

Our heartfelt condolences. Bill was a dear friend of mine, and to many others. He will be missed very much.

Ted Tonjes · Post by **Ted Tonjes** » 30 Jul 2011 3:06 am

I'm so sorry to hear this. He was such a nice and friendly man. I'm happy I've met him a few times at the convention.
My condolences to the family and friends.

Raymond Thiebault · Post by **Raymond Thiebault** » 30 Jul 2011 7:36 am

Our deepest sympathy to Bill's wife and family. We will keep all of you in our prayers.

Blessings,
Ray & Claire

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 30 Jul 2011 4:35 pm

WOW!! I just do not come in here often enough..
This is so sad. What a GREAT person he was.
He built a great product & took customer service to a new level IMHO..
He was just a nice of a man as you would ever want to meet in your lifetime.
May God comfort his family in this time of need.
Ron

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 31 Jul 2011 9:09 am

I just heard the news of Bill's passing today. My condolences to his family and friends.
Karen

Tiny Olson · Post by **Tiny Olson** » 2 Aug 2011 2:47 pm

I'm sad to learn of Bill's passing. So many have already said this but he was truly a fine person. I first met him at Jimmie Crawford's house in the early '80s when Jimmie was getting ready to build my JCH. I was in the presence of two of the finest folks in the steel guitar world at that instance. Upon delivery of the guitar at a later date they also presented me with a new BJS bar with my birthstone in the nose. I still have it.

May The Lord keep Billy now in His loving embrace. He was a dandy !! My deepest sympathies to his family.

Sincerely,
Chris "Tiny" O.

Tyler Hall · Post by **Tyler Hall** » 7 Aug 2011 1:11 pm

Wow! I can't believe I'm just now finding this out! Bill was one of the nicest, sweetest, most genuine people I've ever met. Within the first five minutes of meeting him i felt like I'd known him all my life. I hate I didn't get to see him or talk to him much in the last few months. Bill was always very good to me, but letting me be one of his friends is the nicest thing he ever did. I'm so sorry to hear about this, but our loss is God's gain. I'm gonna miss you buddy!

Lyle Clary · Post by **Lyle Clary** » 7 Aug 2011 2:36 pm

I first met Bill at the Mt Vernon Illinois show in 2010. I bought a blue sapphire bar from him that day and now when I use it I will remember him for the nice guy that he was. Rest in peace.

Keenan Friday · Post by **Keenan Friday** » 9 Aug 2011 9:00 pm

I have never met Bill Stroud but I am a member of the forum and know who he was. His family is in my prayers.

Mickey Adams · Post by **Mickey Adams** » 15 Aug 2011 9:08 am

My friend Bill....Im at a loss for words as the tears well up....A very sad day for all of us...
Ill be reminded of you every time I sit at my guitar, for the rest of my days..