ASOK - Bill Warren Update - All Please read!

EDIT 07.29:

Information regarding services for Bill are posted here.

http://swartzfh.frontrunnerpro.com/book-of-memories/1638638/Warren-William/service-details.php

There is also a section for you to share memories. If you spent time with Bill, I am sure the family would love for you to share those.

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EDIT:

I just received word this morning (07.26) that Bill has passed away. His passing was described as quick and peaceful. His family will be posting more information when they have a chance.

Godspeed, brother.


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Brothers and sisters of the helmet,

I am writing this to you, with tears running down my face and to be quite honest, I have never had to do this so I am not sure what is the correct way to give you this news.

Our friend and a founding member of TDH, Bill Warren, better known to you as Asok, is dying of an incredibly aggressive cancer. He is now in hospice and has been given 3-4 days to live. I am sure there are more details to this, but to be quite frank, all that matters is that Bill will not be with us very much longer. He is not in a position to take calls. To the best of my knowledge there is nothing that can be done and his close friends/family aren't asking for anything, but if they do make any requests or there is any more information to give, I will try my very best to pass it on.

With that being said, I want to share with you a bit of my time and experience with Bill. As I said, Bill is one of our founding members and for over a decade has been a pillar of our community. The thing that I have always loved about Bill is that he has always had a passion for inclusion and making sure everyone can have a part in our hobby. To those ends, Bill has worked very hard to provide props and costume pieces to the masses at extremely affordable prices, often taking losses or just breaking even to make sure every fan can have a helmet or have this little bit or bob for their costume. He has been a tireless champion of both the 501st and TDH and has always been a force for good as well as a constant ray of sunshine. I have never known Bill to have a bad word and every time he calls me, there is enthusiasm and excitement in his voice which is certainly infectious and invigorating.

Bill spent quite a few years moderating this forum as well as his own group and most recently the Bounty Hunter's Guild. He is a true servant of the community and a champion for our way of life. I love him like a brother as he is one of our rock star's and while he isn't gone quite yet, he will be sorely missed and he will leave a hole in both the communities he served and in the hearts of his friends.

If anything, I would ask that you pray that Bill's final days are peaceful and that his passing gives him rest.

I love you, brother. You are one of the good ones.


PS While I am loathe to even mention business at a time like this; Bill is a smart cookie and as soon as he knew what was coming, began making plans for his departure. His legacy will live on as he has already set people in place to continue providing his prop and costume replicas to you. Even at the very end, Bill's concern is for you and how to continue serving you, even if he is not here to do it himself.

I trooped my first troop with Bill at the indianapolis children's museum. Bill as Jango and I was Fett. Bill always smiles and is extremely helpful to anyone he meets. Truly a die hard fan that cares about others. He is a great asset to the Bloodfin Garrison and to here at TDH. I pray for the pain to end for him. God Speed.

What?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hes-just-a-Bill/538719286165298

Here's the page I've been reading the last few days, Turo.

Oh man...You are in my prayers, Bill...

I was sitting here with Art tonight when we got the call. We've known this was going on but last Bill had told us, he had 6 months to 5 years, and that was just a few weeks ago. That alone blew our minds. But then to get a call and be told by not Bill, but someone there with him that he has just days, felt like a punch in the stomach. Art never cries but to see him choked up on the phone and tears in his eyes at a loss for what to say...

Bill is one of the nicest people in this hobby I've ever met. He has always been a positive person in this community and has always gone out of his way to help us and many others here. I've never heard a harsh word from him and I can't count the number of times he has helped us out or offered to help us out with various projects. I got to spend a good bit of time with Bill at Celebration 3 and even got to go over to his house which he opened up to many who were attending the convention.

It just is so unfair that something like this has to happen to someone like Bill but a very good friend told me that if this happened to bad people, no one would miss them and no one would remember them but the good people, they are the ones that leave an impression on our lives, they change our lives, they are the ones we remember, they are the ones we talk about. So here's to you Bill. You have left your mark on all of us and you will be remembered and you will be talked about and most of all, you will be missed by all of us. I love you my friend and I will see you again.

This is incredibly sad. When I first began this hobby and jumped into the Fett world, Bill was one of the first and most helpful individuals I had came into contact with. He is one of the reasons why I enjoy this community so much and his loss will be felt by many.

As Art said...definatley one of the good ones. Although my relationship w/ Bill is exclusive to TDH (my first helmet was from Asok) my communication with him was always extremly polite, honest and down right impecable. my thoughts are with him, his family and loved ones at this difficult time. MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU ALWAYS my friend.

Oh Bill! This is so upsetting. What a guy. I still remember meeting Bill at DragonCon for the first time, and being so happy to see him as I travelled from convention to convention.

When my brother passed a few years ago, Bill shared this sentiment on TDH:

asok said:

Graeme,

As I was reading today about what has gone on with you and Chris, I felt so hollow on the inside and helpless. Then I saw something when I walked into my bedroom. It is the poem called Footprints and I have on my dresser. I read it again, I mean really read it. It filled me with hope that we are not alone and that it will be alright.

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Couldn't be any more relevant. Bill and everyone here knows that poem, has seen it hundreds of times pasted on a wall. But really read it again sometime, like Bill did.

Thank you for being a friend Bill, we all love you.

Prayers out to Bill and his family in this trying time. There can be no doubt that Bill enriched our hobby and set an example worthy of emulation. Godspeed friend

**** it, Bill!


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Very saddened by this news. Praying for Bill and his family.

This is sad sad news. Im in shock, and at a loss for words. Asok is by far "one of the good ones" and i hate to see this happen to anyone, let alone Bill. You are in my prayers brother.

Is his family able to afford all of the costs for all of this ****?

If there's a donation option available, I will give. Happily. And sadly.

This is utterly tragic news, I am so sorry to hear this. I had no idea that this had been going on, and I am stunned. My thoughts and prayers are with Bill and his family. For all the ups and down in TDH, for all the fights and feuds that come and go, there is a sense of family that still pervades and it shakes us all when these terrible trials happen. I hope he and his family know just how much we will all be thinking of him.

Hi folks my name is Christy Smith-Warren..I want to make sure that everyone knows that if you have ordered helmets the orders will be filled as promised. I have been working with Bill the last two years helping him and learning the trade. In his honor I will continue to use the name Asok. His wife Dawn and I will endeavor to treat everyone the way he would want and did. Please if you have questions pm me here under his board name. Thanks Art for your kind words about him. He is truly one of a kind.

Gee, what do you say to that? Asok (Bill) is a great part of TDH, everything about the guy is great. Like Art said hes a great part of this place. Hes a very giving person. He'll be in our thoughts here.

I just got the news from Art. I have been away for a bit, been busy with a few other things over the summer, and taking a little break from costuming. I felt I had to pop back in. I feel a bond with all the people that I deal with on the forum. Bill in no exception. I've had nothing but pleasure in dealing with him. Such a nice and down to earth guy. I am so shocked and sad right now. Praying for Bill and his family through this most difficult time.

I am, just stunned. And at a loss for words.

Bill, is kind hearted man. That's how he will be remembered to me. When cancer ravaged my life, Bill was a pillar of hope. He offered comfort, and friendship. And I will always be grateful to him. This has happened so fast, that I can't even give him what he gave me.

I can't believe this is happening.

God bless you, Bill.

asok said:

Hi folks my name is Christy Smith-Warren..I want to make sure that everyone knows that if you have ordered helmets the orders will be filled as promised. I have been working with Bill the last two years helping him and learning the trade. In his honor I will continue to use the name Asok. His wife Dawn and I will endeavor to treat everyone the way he would want and did. Please if you have questions pm me here under his board name. Thanks Art for your kind words about him. He is truly one of a kind.

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Christy,

Just the fact that Bill had prepared for this through you says worlds about his love for this hobby and more importantly the people in it.

I never saw a thread where Bill wasn't being helpful and trying to take care of people. He will be sorely missed and will leave a giant void in this community's heart.

May the Force be with him, Always.