On page 180 of This Is Me, Jack Vance (2009) where Vance is talking about the authors he likes, you’ll encounter this line: “Bill Crider, who writes about Sheriff Dan Rhodes in Clearview, Texas, is a pleasure to read.” The moment I finished reading that line I called Bill to tell him one of his favorite writers was a fan of his books. This incident led to some communication between Bill and Jack Vance, moments that Bill cherished.
Bill Crider also cherished his lovely wife, Judy. When Judy died after a long fight against cancer, Bill’s life and health took a big hit. When I saw Bill after Judy’s death, he had a lost look that wasn’t there before. Bill’s wonderful daughter, Angela, started accompanying Bill to BOUCHERCONs and other events. Angela’s presence allowed Bill precious time to visit with friends and fans.
In October 2017, Diane and I drove to Toronto to enjoy BOUCHERCON. Jeff and Jackie Meyerson, Patti and Phil Abbott (as well as Megan), Maggie Mason, and many other friends showed up. Bill and Angela were there. Bill looked and acted almost like his old self. He cracked jokes and entertained audiences who attended his panels. A few weeks later, I was able to hang out with Bill (and Scott Cupp and Joe Lansdale) in San Antonio at the World Fantasy Convention. Bill looked weaker and more wan than he did in Toronto. He tired easily. But it was obvious, Bill was enjoying every minute of time with his friends.
When Bill announced on his blog that he was entering hospice care, all of us who knew and loved Bill felt the growing sense of loss. Now it’s official and the world is a much sadder place. Rest in peace, Bill.
So sad. Wish we could have enjoyed his company a little longer.
Patti, Bill Crider was one of most genuine and genial people I’ve ever met. We’ll all miss him.
Thanks, George. I was glad we got to spend so much time with Bill (and Angela) in Toronto. We went for a long walk to have lunch and, as you said, he seemed almost like his old self. He was in much better spirits (and health, seemingly) than he had been a year before in New Orleans, or even in Raleigh the year before that, where he seemed kind of lost. I’m no doctor, but I agree with you. I think Judy’s long illness, and the pressure of taking care of her and not knowing how she would be, took a real toll on him. Also, after her death he didn’t seem to care as much, or take care of himself. Some of us are basically loners who will go on by ourselves, but Bill seemed incomplete without Judy. Either way, it’s a sad loss for all of us who knew him, as well as anyone who has just known him through his books and stories and column in EQMM and his blog.
One of the best of us is gone.
Jeff, so true. I’m glad we were able to spent time with Bill and Angela in Toronto and enjoy their company. Those are the moments I’ll aways remember.
Absolutely, Jeff. The last time I saw him was San Francisco Bouchercon, he was with Judy there, and she looked great, though she was ill. I wish I had been able to see him at the other cons, like you did. I thought of him all through yesterday.
Rick, Bill and Judy and later, Angela, always made BOUCHERCON a special occasion.
I still can’t believe I will never again be able to open Bill’s blog and read his wonderfully eclectic and humane round-up of book & movie reviews, offbeat news items (gators, wild pigs, fast-food restaurant doneybrooks, and abuses of the 9-1-1 system, among other things), songs of the day, family photographs, links to interesting articles, and anything else that caught Bill’s fancy as he did his daily troll through the interwebs. But, as I know I’ve said before, I’m glad he’s free from pain now and reunited with his soulmate, Judy.
I only met Bill in person once—Boucheron in New Orleans in 2016–but for the past decade I feel as if I “talked” with him every day. (I’ll never forget the first time I got a “Hat tip to Deb” for a link I’d forwarded to him: what a proud moment!) He was such a great guy—one of the truly good people…and now he’s gone.
Deb, I know Bill Crider enjoyed meeting you and John at the BOUCHERCON in New Orleans because he told me so. With Bill, what you saw was the Real Deal.
And don’t forget the “Texas leads the way” and “I found a penny in the Walmart parking lot” and “In that case, ma’am, you are free to go” items, as well as the shout outs to Nicolas Cage and Paris (“Will the persecution never end”) Hilton.
And one of my greatest thrills (and honors) was having a Sheriff Rhodes book – RED, WHITE, AND BLUE MURDERS (not the Oxford comma) – dedicated to me.
Gone, but never forgotten.
Jeff, Bill used me in a couple short stories. And, let’s not forget the character Bill created from Cap’n Bob Napier!
There are phrases from BILL CRIDER’S POP CULTURE MAGAZINE I find myself using often. We will all miss him.
Dan, the world is a sadder place without Bill Crider.
He was the real deal.
Jerry, Bill Crider didn’t have a phony bone in his body. Bill was a stand-up guy!
Though I don’t know much about Bill I feel with you – anyone who is loved by his cats so much must be a good person!
That picture is really moving.
Wolf, Bill Crider loved cats…and people.
Jackie reminded me of one of Bill’s hobbyhorses – the worthlessness of Daylight Saving Time. He’d have smiled, I’m sure, to hear that the Florida legislature is moving towards making it permanent all year. Fingers crossed.
Jeff, I’m getting to dislike Daylight Saving Time, too! But Bill Crider leads the way!
What a great picture of Bill and his cats. I’d not seen it before. He was a fine man, and it was universally understood.
Rick, Bill and cats (and, of course, alligators) will always be linked.
I’d forgotten the Jack Vance story. I think Bill was always genuinely pleased when someone, noted or obscure, said they enjoyed his books. He was a scholarly and intellectual gentleman who was proud and unembarrassed about his nutjob collector side – which obviously endeared him to you and me. I missed seeing him in Toronto and Raleigh, but was lucky enough to spend time with him (and Judy, near the end) when he came out here to visit Angela. Bill’s Blog was the first thing I looked at in the morning. There was always something surprising, and funny, and a slice of Only-Bill-Crider that would make me smile, and hear his Texas twang in my head. Dammit.
Art, I concur with your fine words about Bill Crider. The world is diminished now that he’s gone.
I hear that there is to be an Anthony award at this year’s bouchercon in his memory. I’m not sure if it is a one time only award, as I’m sure the standing committee has to approve that (I remember in Milwaukee having to fight to keep the PBO Anthony – Jim daughterty wanted to substitute a movie award, and authors that started in pb (Harlan Coben and Laura Lippman showed up to protest)
I’ll miss his sly wit and his books. I’m hoping there will be one more Dan Rhodes book, but would be happier if there were more and Bill was still around.
I didn’t know he was against daylight savings time (I love it) I agree changing every year is strange, so just keep it .
I also was misinformed about the VBK’s I always thought they were the very BIG kitties.
I’m sure Bill and Judy are having lots of good times with other friends who preceded them to their final reward.
Maggie, there will be one last Sheriff Rhodes book published this year.
I think it was the changing back and forth twice a year that Bill hated about DST. He wanted to keep it one way or the other.
Being against summertime/wintertime changes shows him as a smart person – I also hate these unnecessary complications coming up.
Afaik that was introduced during the war and in our times of being online permanently it’s kind of silly to switch time zones.
It was good to read all of the thoughts about Bill. He was one of the best people I knew and I am proud to call him friend. Besides daylight savings, he hated to mow the lawn. He did it, but never happily.
When he stopped doing his blog I decided to send him a post card every day, except Sundays. It was a silly and useless gesture, but it seemed that as long as there was something there he could rely on he wouldn’t die. I had a pack of post cards, 100 of them, from a British war comic called Battle, and the subtle message was to battle the cancer and maybe, just maybe, a miracle would occur and it would go away. I don’t even know if he was aware of them, but it gave me a small comfort, as though I were doing something, anything, to fight the coming darkness. I’m sorry it didn’t help.
Bob, sending those post cards shows what a Good Guy you really are. We all felt helpless when we learned about Bill’s condition.
Cap’n Bob, this is Tom Neary, Angela Crider’s husband.
Bill received and was aware of every one of your British “Battle” post cards. They came in like clockwork every day. During the absolute chaos of the last couple of months the consistency of your cards was reassuring. A battle that could not be won with plenty of fear and doubt but your “never give up” code was crystal clear.
We got into a daily routine of reading your messages on the cards to Bill — all the way to the end. I would say “Hey Bill, here is today’s from Cap’n Bob” and before I even started to read your update he would crack a smile.
Tom, I wish I thought of something as clever as Cap’n Bob did to ease Bill’s final days. My condolences to you and Angela. Bill was a great guy!
George – that was a wonderful memory of Bill. I still cannot believe it. There will be a service for him on Monday in Alvin. I plan on being there and Joe Lansdale says he will be there, too. I know that everyone on this blog today will be there in spirit, too.
Scott, our sense of Loss after losing Bill (and Judy) will never go away. Please convey our sympathies to Bill’s family and friends next Monday.
I am sorry for your loss, Dr. Kelley.
Lauren, it’s always sad when friends die. Then you have to live with the sense of loss…
Thanks, Tom. I didn’t see your message before today and it means a lot to me to know Bill got those postcards and they had some value. It’s been two weeks and two days since we lost him and I still feel the pain. Send my love to his family.