He called me "Peanuts"

[MrsBillyBobcat]

It was on this day in 2001 Bill lost his dad and his best friend. Even though he was not my dad, we were very close. There has not been a day in the last 8 yrs that I have not thought of him. He was my hero and my "rock"...he was always there for me when I needed help or advise. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif I miss him SO MUCH! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

This was in Pontiac Enthusiast a few months after he passed:

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Visioneerscansoldpics042.jpg

Here he is with his first car:
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/dadpedalcar-1.jpg


Here he is as a young man working in his uncle's garage:
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/dadworkingwithuncle-1.jpg

His Army pic http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/dadarmy-1.jpg


This is from his racing days.
Those who have met my husband should be able to figure out which one he is (looks just like him! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif) He's the one in the middle. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/dadlookslikebill-1.jpg


I LOVE this pic! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dadstanding8x10better-1.jpg



He spent most of his retirement working in his garage. You could stop by anytime and chat with him. He would always welcome you. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Visioneerscansoldpics178.jpg



I'm not really sure why he called me "Peanuts", but I think it was because of my size. He never called anyone by their real name. He usually called my husband "Willy" or "Dutch" and called the neighbor kid "Slick".
I think this was when he started calling me "Peanuts" (I can't believe I found this photo!). We were in the back of the car hauler while at a track in Racine, Wisconsin shortly after I met Bill.
That is a bag of "Peanut M & M's" that I'm sharing with him.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/peanuts.jpg

Thanks for letting me share this. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/youguysrock.gif

[mockingbird812]

Great memories Rita. It sounds like he meant alot to alot of people. Your father-in-law was a neat fellow. Thanks for sharing! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Tenney]

Seems the sort you'd want to keep in mind, "Peanuts"!

[Charley Lillard]

Cool

[Mr70]

A very nice summation of a man who made a statement in the lives of those close to him.
We should all be so lucky.
Sounds like you were both privileged to have known eachother.

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
Great memories Rita. It sounds like he meant alot to alot of people. Your father-in-law was a neat fellow. Thanks for sharing! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

My sentiments exactly. Keep him alive in your memories forever! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Dog427435]

[ QUOTE ]
A very nice summation of a man who made a statement in the lives of those close to him.
We should all be so lucky.
Sounds like you were both privileged to have known each other.

[/ QUOTE ]


Remember him always in your heart!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[BJCHEV396]

Great story.Thanks for sharing. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[x Baldwin Motion]

A very nice photo tribute. Thanks http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[CC Rider]

Thanks for sharing this, great post.

[MrsBillyBobcat]

I have been going through Bill's dad's pics recently, and thought you might enjoy seeing the car that he was working on in the pic above.

I started to post this on Sunday morning, but heard that Bread song "Everything I Own" (I had 70's music playing on Comcast) and "lost it" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif. Since today is the 23rd (his race car#), this is probably a better day anyway! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif


This photo was taken at a car show at Pontiac's Administration Building, just one day after he finished the restoration:

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/dads30.jpg

Before pic:
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/Visioneerscansoldpics177.jpg


A couple more of him working on it: http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/dad011-1.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/dad-001-2.jpg


http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/dad002-1.jpg


This is an article that Bill wrote for the local Pontiac Club newsletter. It will tell the story...I think you'll enjoy it! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/dad012-1-1-1.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/dad013.jpg



He did end up taking it to the Pontiac National Convention in 1989...and won "Best of Show" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif (out of 700+ cars)

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/f3d8b719-1.jpg

"I would give everything I own, just to have you back again"

[Tenney]

Good stuff, Rita. Cool pics, and nice write-up by Mr. B. Bobcat hisself - Sr. seems a fine feller, indeed!http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

(that 'ol rig's ripe for an RAV, tho!) http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[mockingbird812]

Good stuff Rita. Bill did a nice job on the article. Very special...thanks! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[MrsBillyBobcat]

[ QUOTE ]
Good stuff, Rita. Cool pics, and nice write-up by Mr. B. Bobcat hisself - Sr. seems a fine feller, indeed!http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

(that 'ol rig's ripe for an RAV, tho!) http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif You always crack me up Tenney!

Thanks for the nice comments! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[SuperNovaSS]

Very cool. On a side note, did anyone else find themselves looking at the parts on the shelves in the background of the above pictures? Just wondering if I'm the only one with the sickness.


Jason

[Woj]

Great story Rita, you are lucky to have had him in your life.

Phil Woj.

[Charley Lillard]

Looks like he had fun in life.....

[69 Post Sedan]

Neat story Rita. Thanks for sharing. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[gb70]

Seems like a very interesting man, a special man that people would admire.

My dad was a Pontiac man as well. It really was a working mans, "business mans car". That's how I remember my dad.

You know the sad part outside of losing our parents, is losing this generation. They grew up at the time just after the depression, during the war (WWII) to which many served in including my now late father in law, they saw so much and lived through more than I think we really can appreciate.

Always keep them close, in your thoughts. I remember one day shortly before my dad passed of Pancreatic Cancer, I told him that I did not want to see him go. I was maybe 25 years old, still in the US Navy. He touched me on the chest and said, son, I will always be here in your heart and here as he touched my forehead, in your thoughts.

We will always have the memories.

Thanks Rita for sharing.

[Xplantdad]

Awesome Rita...thanks so much for sharing such a neat story! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[John]

...I like the look on the kids faces in the Pedal Car photo
.... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[MrsBillyBobcat]

[ QUOTE ]

You know the sad part outside of losing our parents, is losing this generation.

[/ QUOTE ]

I couldn't agree more! Bill has been saying that for years. They truly are the "GREATEST" Generation! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif


[ QUOTE ]
I remember one day shortly before my dad passed of Pancreatic Cancer, I told him that I did not want to see him go. I was maybe 25 years old, still in the US Navy. He touched me on the chest and said, son, I will always be here in your heart and here as he touched my forehead, in your thoughts.


[/ QUOTE ]

That's a great memory Greg! Thanks for sharing. So sorry you lost him so young! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[MrsBillyBobcat]

It was 10 years ago today that Bill and I lost this special person in our life, so I thought I'd share another car that he restored.

This was his last car, a <span style="font-weight: bold">1941 Graham Hollywood</span>:

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/ff830ee1.jpg
This photo was taken at the 2000 Harper Cruise and was the last time he showed it.


This is what it looked like when he got it <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/shocked.gif

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/graham.jpg
Just about everyone told him it was too far gone to restore. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/crazy.gif


Well, you could not say that to him! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/no.gif

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/dadgrahamb4.jpg
He immediately started tearing it down...






...and this is what it looked like a year and a half later <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/2005pics729.jpg



http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/9c1002aa.jpg

He also restored the gas pump! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif


http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/grahamengine.jpg

The &quot;Supercharged&quot; engine! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif




http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/a0d51671-1.jpg
Bill giving him a 1:24th scale model that he made of it <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/santa.gif


BTW...I have a funny story to tell you! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif Bill's dad called EVERYTHING that Bill listened to &quot;Led Zeppelin&quot; <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif I left the house today to run some errands and to put some peanuts on his gravesite. While in my car, I heard 3 different Led Zeppelin songs on the radio!!! (&quot;All My Love&quot;, &quot;Kashmir&quot;, and &quot;Ramble On&quot;) I only traveled 5 miles from home and was only gone 2 hours! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/shocked.gif

[Xplantdad]

Awesome pics and stories Rita...Bill's dad must have been cool to hang around <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[Steve Shauger]

Rita, it's great that you had such and wonderful relationship and such fond memories.

[SS427]

Nice that you can reminisce and still bring joy to you both. Sounds like one very special father.

[sYc]

Thanks for sharing...

[Tenney]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrsBillyBobcat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
BTW...I have a funny story to tell you! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif Bill's dad called EVERYTHING that Bill listened to &quot;Led Zeppelin&quot; <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif I left the house today to run some errands and to put some peanuts on his gravesite. While in my car, I heard 3 different Led Zeppelin songs on the radio!!! (&quot;All My Love&quot;, &quot;Kashmir&quot;, and &quot;Ramble On&quot;) I only traveled 5 miles from home and was only gone 2 hours! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/shocked.gif


</div></div>

Magic ... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

(Cool shot of Bill and his Dad!)

[mockingbird812]

Good stuff Rita! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif Bill Sr. does nice work!!

[Kim_Howie]

What a great story. You have to be proud of him. Kim

[Tenney]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrsBillyBobcat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/9c1002aa.jpg

He also restored the gas pump! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif
</div></div>

also ...

My Dad was in the old Red Crown lamp bidness for a bit (he high-tailed it nine years ago today).

The rascal and I will drop down and score a lemon meringue pie in the feller's honor this afternoon. You didn't want to be the one eating the last piece of one of those beauties back in the day!

[MrsBillyBobcat]

COOL! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif Hope you two enjoy your pie! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

THANKS to everyone for the kind words! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tenney</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrsBillyBobcat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
BTW...I have a funny story to tell you! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif Bill's dad called EVERYTHING that Bill listened to &quot;Led Zeppelin&quot; <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif I left the house today to run some errands and to put some peanuts on his gravesite. While in my car, I heard 3 different Led Zeppelin songs on the radio!!! (&quot;All My Love&quot;, &quot;Kashmir&quot;, and &quot;Ramble On&quot;) I only traveled 5 miles from home and was only gone 2 hours! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/shocked.gif


</div></div>

Magic ... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

</div></div>

I'd like to think so Tenney! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

I got a BIG smile on my face when the first song I heard was &quot;All My Love&quot;, and then again when I heard &quot;Kashmir&quot; <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif ...but got pretty emotional when I heard a 3rd Zeppelin song!

Here's Bill's dad in an &quot;Old Street Scene&quot; (from a city of Roseville calendar) Notice the name of the Cleaners <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif (Look at the sign in the window as they it spelled it wrong in the description)


http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/ea336fc2.jpg

[x Baldwin Motion]

Here's Bill's dad in an &quot;Old Street Scene&quot; (from a city of Roseville calendar) Notice the name of the Cleaners <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif (Look at the sign in the window as they it spelled it wrong in the description)


http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg133/carcrazyqt/Dad/ea336fc2.jpg



Really cool!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif where the heck did Bill get a model of a 1941 Graham Hollywood??

[WILMASBOYL78]

This is the kind of stuff that really shows you....

It's not really about the cars...it's all about the people!

Nice job... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Dog427435]

Great story Rita! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif