Bill Hankey RIP

Pete Finney · Post by **Pete Finney** » 22 May 2019 10:34 am

Long-time forumite Bill Hankey passed away about a month ago. He was a hard one to figure out, but he clearly knew a lot about music and loved the steel guitar; he deserves to be remembered here.

Here's a link to a hometown obituary:

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/berks ... &fhid=4866

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 22 May 2019 11:12 am

Sad to hear. Yes, he'll be remembered here.

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 22 May 2019 11:38 am

Many of us will miss his quirky way with words! RIP, Mr. Hankey.

Godfrey Arthur · Post by **Godfrey Arthur** » 22 May 2019 12:01 pm

Godspeed Bill.

He was in the Chris Ivey league of iconoclasts:

Bill's quote "The pedal steel guitar demands a constant uninterrupted
prolonged study spanning many years of concentration. Those who choose to think otherwise,
eventually fall into the category of players who progress so little to notice."

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 22 May 2019 12:09 pm

Sad to read. Bill could be obscure, obtuse, and a walking thesaurus. But a beloved character for many of us old timers here. Rest In Peace

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 22 May 2019 2:10 pm

Condolences to the Hankey family. What a character he was. I will have to review some of those epic posts of his.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 22 May 2019 2:24 pm

My condolences to his family and friends.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 22 May 2019 2:46 pm

Too sad. I enjoyed reading his posts ... as irritating as some of them were.

I always liked his "Lucky 7" device he fabricated for his 3rd string. Years later I purchased my Williams guitar that has a similar design on all strings. I believe the new Sierra guitars do, also.

Click Here

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 22 May 2019 3:08 pm

Rest in peace, Bill. He was the Forum's answer to Professor Irwin Corey

How could you not smile at this sort of Bill Hankey wisdom:
"Not to be thwarted by insignificant hangups associated with mechanical blunders found lurking beneath the pedal steel guitar, the player who remains unruffled goes on to much better musical expressions. In his grasp, any melody can be become awakened by a steady and attentive effort that always leads to listenable qualities."

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 22 May 2019 4:15 pm

I will miss him as well, rest in peace Bill!

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 22 May 2019 6:06 pm

Comfort and peace to his family and friends.

Bill L. Wilson · Post by **Bill L. Wilson** » 22 May 2019 7:38 pm

Been missing him for a long while. He definitely was â€œOne of a Kindâ€ Rest in Peace Friend.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 22 May 2019 9:47 pm

I disagreed with everything he said, but I really enjoyed reading his posts. Maybe now he can converse with all those 19th century writers he emulated.

Rest in peace, Mr. Bill Hankey.

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 23 May 2019 2:08 am

I'm sorry to hear about Bill Hankey passing on. I always enjoyed his comments here on the Steel Forum, he had a very unique way of communicating his ideas and opinions. My condolences go out to his family and friends. May he RIP.

John Norris · Post by **John Norris** » 23 May 2019 8:07 am

Very sad to hear of Bill's passing, he was a master of circumlocution and an extremely entertaining character, may he rest in peace.

Larry Rafferty · Post by **Larry Rafferty** » 23 May 2019 12:22 pm

I was very sad to hear of Bill Hankey's passing.
The last time I traveled to Bill's Mass Bash was a very enjoyable day. After the steel show, Bill taked
steel guitar with me for more than an hour.
He then showed me his upright fret marker board...and then he asked me to try it out. I payed his steel
for 40 minutes and had a nice day. Bill was always trying to improve the sound...and he was a pretty good steeler.
I'm really gonna miss him.

RIP old friend.

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 23 May 2019 1:16 pm

Sorry to hear of Bill's passing.
I hadn't seen him post in a long time.
His idea about the Vertical Fretboard was a good one!
I happened to have spare fretboards around, and was able to try it out by mounting one to the front of the neck.
It was pretty cool and a fun experiment.
Of course I remember the Lucky-7, too.
...And his great way with words!
I too hope he is playing Steel to his hearts content in Heaven.
RIP Bill!

In Bill's words:

Bill Hankey wrote: It's adaptability is quite suitable for the single-neck steel, such as the instrument that I use. The project would be less difficult than most changes made beneath the steel guitar. For those who have a spare fretboard that measures the same as the one used, slice it down the approximate middle to reduce the height as much as possible. Match it to the designated positioning to achieve proper harmonics. Locate the narrowed feature out and away from the 1st string, tipped at reading angle. It required very little time to realize that I was "on" to something once the experimental fretboard was properly positioned. The ideal would be similar to a raised brow built into the manufactured instrument above first string level, with all the attractiveness of positions accurately presented as a finished and improved project, instantly readable guide much superior to the standard horizontal fretboard. A strip of white cardboard with fret markings is a quick trial to demonstrate visibility. I had pointed out previously that the player's face is raised enough to make a considerable difference in how fans observe the art of playing the steel guitar. Dozens of pertinent factors are created by adapting the clear view concept.

Bill's Steel with Verticle Fretboard and Lucky 7:

Steve English · Post by **Steve English** » 23 May 2019 2:30 pm

Bill could say something with a thousand words just as easy as a normal person could with five....

Michael Haselman · Post by **Michael Haselman** » 23 May 2019 5:06 pm

Whenever I saw his name on a post a smile would ensue. RIP, Mr. Hankey. Dearly loved peoples' reactions to his esoterica.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 23 May 2019 5:39 pm

For those who knew hm outside the forum, did he talk that way in person?

Michael Maddex · Post by **Michael Maddex** » 23 May 2019 6:49 pm

My condolences to his Family and Friends.

RIP, Mr Bill Hankey.

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 23 May 2019 7:29 pm

My condolences. When I read his posts I always heard something like the voice of William F. Buckley.

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 24 May 2019 12:28 am

RIP Mr Hankey.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 24 May 2019 7:42 am

Likewise RIP Mr.Hankey

Tommy Shown · Post by **Tommy Shown** » 24 May 2019 12:31 pm

Me and Bill had several differences in opinion .
But I still respected him nevertheless.
I pray that he is at peace in his Heavenly Home ,and I for God's love to family.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Bill Hankey RIP

Bill Hankey RIP

The Late Great Bill Hankey.