RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder

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RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/1/2020 11:30:59 PM

pzgndr

Posts: 3170
Joined: 3/18/2004
From: Maryland
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From David Heath today:

quote:

It is with a sad heart that I need to report the passing of Bill Wilder. For those of you that know my history, Bill Wilder was one of the first gamers to join me when I founded Matrix Games. Our first project together was the Steel Panthers World At War game. I had just recently chatted with him and it was just like old times. I will greatly miss him.

Bill's obituary can be found here and you may leave a message to his family. Leaf Cremation - https://bit.ly/34YiFFx
Bill Wilder services will be held on September 6, 2020, at 3:00 pm EST at The Church at Green Acres Baptist Church, Smyrna, GA. The service will also be online at https://bit.ly/2GkM02L

Obituary

Post #: 1

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 12:00:14 AM

OldSarge

Posts: 642
Joined: 11/25/2010
From: Albuquerque, NM
Status: offline

Wow! That is a gut punch!

SPWAW was the reason I joined Matrix in 2004, under a different name, and "Wild" Bill was a frequent and knowledgeable poster. Always amiable and willing to help solve issues with scenarios and other associated SPWAW issues. IIRC, he was very influential in working some of the Mega-Campaigns.

RIP, "Wild" Bill!

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Post #: 2

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 12:08:09 AM

tomlowshang

Posts: 28
Joined: 5/22/2016
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Sad news indeed.

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Post #: 3

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 12:12:23 AM

Twotribes

Posts: 6929
Joined: 2/15/2002
From: Jacksonville NC
Status: offline

Sorry to hear.

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Post #: 4

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 12:31:30 AM

Zap

Posts: 3639
Joined: 12/6/2004
From: LAS VEGAS TAKE A CHANCE
Status: offline

Oh my that hurts.May he rest in peace.

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Post #: 5

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 12:44:36 AM

Talon_XBMCX

Posts: 220
Joined: 8/1/2008
Status: offline

One of the greats ... always had time to reply or answer questions. Clear skies and calm winds ... May you rest in peace.

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Post #: 6

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 12:50:31 AM

MrsWargamer

Posts: 1655
Joined: 6/18/2014
Status: offline

I worked with him on Screaming Eagles.

He will be missed.

There are very few in wargaming his equal.

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Post #: 7

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 12:57:08 AM

Platoonist

Posts: 1342
Joined: 5/11/2003
From: Kila Hana
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There is a name I saw in a lot of game credits back in the day. "Wild Bill" tends to jump out at you. Sleep in peace, Bill.

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Post #: 8

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 1:03:16 AM

Don60420

Posts: 124
Joined: 9/26/2007
Status: offline

Wild Bill dead? Grognards weep. He was a giant of the hobby.

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Post #: 9

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 1:59:04 AM

Twotribes

Posts: 6929
Joined: 2/15/2002
From: Jacksonville NC
Status: offline

I left a post on the site.

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Post #: 10

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 2:32:06 AM

dox44

Posts: 668
Joined: 5/7/2000
From: the woodlands, texas
Status: offline

for whatever reason, he asked me to help playtest "Proud and the Few" and "Eagles Strike". never forget that and the mega campaigns too. a great time even though i didn't know much about what i was doing. he did and was always eager to help me.
very good scenario designer and he could put out some work. still remember him sending scenarios for those mega campaigns.
couldn't keep up with him...he would always ask for a write up. if i won...well he would know that he had to tighten things
up a might. lol.

man of faith, a good guy and friend and i can't help but smile thinking about him...

(in reply to Don60420)

Post #: 11

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 7:00:37 AM

Piteas

Posts: 192
Joined: 3/10/2014
From: Spain
Status: offline

He was a king of this hobby. His megacampaigns are unforgettable for me.

My Condolences to the family & friends.

(in reply to dox44)

Post #: 12

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 9:30:14 AM

IainMcNeil

Posts: 2804
Joined: 10/26/2004
From: London
Status: offline

This is very sad news indeed :(

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Post #: 13

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 9:34:30 AM

zakblood

Posts: 22687
Joined: 10/4/2012
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RIP

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Post #: 14

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 11:58:41 AM

JEB Davis

Posts: 443
Joined: 12/27/2005
From: Michigan, U.T.B.
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R.I.P. with your eternal reward, Wild Bill.
May his family and friends find grace and peace.

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Post #: 15

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 12:10:45 PM

MrRoadrunner

Posts: 1323
Joined: 10/7/2005
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We lost a great one.
Both in the gaming world, and real life, Bill was one of a kind.

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Post #: 16

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 12:18:16 PM

jhyden

Posts: 386
Joined: 1/3/2018
From: 37 north, 122 west
Status: offline

i remember visiting the matrix games website (and wild bill) when spwaw first came out. here is a 'snapshot' of the matrix games website from April 18th, 2000.

https://web.archive.org/web/20000304023216/https://www.matrixgames.com/

best wishes to all and rip mr. wilder

~

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Post #: 17

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 12:54:47 PM

Alan Sharif

Posts: 1108
Joined: 8/1/2001
From: UK.
Status: offline

Very sad news indeed. A name I have seen so many times, not just on line, but in magazines to. RIP.

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Post #: 18

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 5:33:40 PM

rico21

Posts: 2990
Joined: 3/11/2016
Status: offline

In your small wargaming world, a Legend!

RIP.

< Message edited by rico21 -- 9/2/2020 5:34:12 PM >

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Post #: 19

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 5:55:42 PM

Rodwonder

Posts: 193
Joined: 12/7/2013
Status: offline

Sad... Great guy! I remember playtesting the Crete scenarios For SPWAW for him... He will be missed.

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Post #: 20

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 6:46:47 PM

Big Ivan

Posts: 1963
Joined: 6/9/2008
From: Mansfield, Ohio USA
Status: offline

Very sorry to hear this. Bill was a giant in the wargaming hobby!! He will be truly missed!!

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Post #: 21

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 8:34:57 PM

elmo3

Posts: 5820
Joined: 1/22/2002
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RIP Wild Bill.

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Post #: 22

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 9:21:53 PM

rickier65

Posts: 14231
Joined: 4/20/2000
Status: offline

Sad news indeed. RIP 'Wild Bill'

Rick R.

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Post #: 23

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 10:41:24 PM

Yogi the Great

Posts: 1948
Joined: 4/10/2007
From: Wisconsin
Status: offline

Wild Bill Friend of Gamers

RIP Our Friend of Gamers

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Post #: 24

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/2/2020 10:52:46 PM

Rosseau

Posts: 2757
Joined: 9/13/2009
Status: offline

Thanks for posting this, Pzgndr.

I remember seeing Wild Bill behind the controls of the vehicle he drove, and that was many years ago. Offhand, I can't think of anyone more prolific when it comes to scenario design for a number of titles. He gave his time, every person's most valuable asset, and did so with a real passion and respect for WW2 and its veterans.

I take great comfort in the fact that for people like Bill, this may just be the first "stop" in something much greater.

(in reply to Yogi the Great)

Post #: 25

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/3/2020 12:24:06 PM

Waffenamt

Posts: 120
Joined: 11/18/2006
From: Canada
Status: offline

RIP "Wild Bill". I fondly remember the pleasure I had when his SP scenario disks (3.5" floppies) would arrive in the mail, and really appreciated his insights and knowledge when it came to WWII battles and campaigns.

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Post #: 26

RE: RIP "Wild Bill" Wilder - 9/3/2020 4:09:36 PM

hadberz