doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com A Bill Wise FlashbackI

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Pete

The pictures under the one of Bill and me are from an early Vintage Cup at Millbrook, New York. The first one is in the big tent, the second in the courtyard with Ray Poudret and friends. This may have been the year that son Ben won the Hammer Gun Championship with his famous Greener Royal. In the second link, below the tribute article, are pictures of Bill at Pintail Point in Maryland, where Ben was employed for years before heading South. The first picture in front of the clubhouse, the second on the clubhouse veranda. Thanks for the great links, Pete.

When visiting my daughter at St Andrews School in Delaware after my son and I attended my cousin and lifelong friends retirement as a Capt of the navy aboard the USS Constellation, I called Bill and went by for a visit. He and his lovely bride welcomed us with open arms. He had several of his prized pieces laid out on the bed to share. I do not recall the guns as I was in such awe at being at the feet of such a master. After a very short hour long visit, he mentioned that he had just penned a new piece called "The Indian Giver". He graciously printed out a draft of it and signed it by holding the pen in his teeth. I will be eternally grateful for the kind hospitality that me and my children were shown that day. Upon return to Alabama, I sent him a thank you note and enclosed the feet from a road killed Barred Owl that I had preserved in open position. I would like to think that Bill, the wise old owl, added at least one of them to his collection of mementos. Will gladly share copies of his manuscript but the original will go to my son when I am gone. No chance of him ever meeting someone like Bill again! I wish
Him Peace, he deserves it!!!

I will never forget my surprise upon learning that the Bill Wise I had read so many posts from and who I envisioned as somewhat of a mythical figure or a sportsman was confined to a wheelchair!! My admiration for the man multiplied by the thousands of percent at that revelation!!!! I had the occasion to exchange one message with Bill when I asked a question about a particular piece I was looking at. I wish I had been able to truly get to know and associate with him. If I had to start ranking I am not sure whether I could ever break the tie between Bill Wise and Oscar Gaddy. Two greats to be admired in my humble opinion.

I knew well, and was friends with, Oscar Gaddy and Bill Wise. Oscar Gaddy would never have stood still for being compared on an equal basis with Bill Wise.