Bernie
Posts: 1779
Joined: 3/15/2002
From: Depot HQ - Virginia
Status: offline
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Dang it Bill... After three months of keeping it all secret I can't think of anything to say. :D
Well, anything except what we all said in our tribute letter, which I'll now attach here. :)
(Folks, what follows is the tribute letter the entire team contributed to and insisted on including in the final version of the MC)
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"Wild Bill" Wilder
By B.W. Behling
Say the name "Wild Bill" in an average room, filled with average people, and the person that springs to mind will usually be the legendary showman and gunfighter, "Wild Bill" Hickok.
Say that same name in a room filled with wargamers and the only person that springs to mind is the one-and-only, "Wild Bill" Wilder.
Every bit the showman that the famed buffalo hunter was, "Wild Bill" Wilder is also famed for his electronic gun-slinging abilities, not to mention his complete mastery of the art of minefields.
Although he never served in any branch of the military, young Bill watched as his father and uncle marched off to war, and still recalls the stories they returned with. For a time, Bill and his mother followed his father from base to base. In an auto-biography written a few years ago, Bill recalls how, as a boy he would hear the sound of military convoys passing his home under cover of darkness, and how he would rush to the front porch to watch them pass.
This early exposure to modern warfare sparked an interest within Bill that has now spanned six decades, and unleashed upon the wargaming community a scenario and campaign designer of uncommon skill and commitment. Indeed, the name "Wild Bill" Wilder has become synonymous with carefully crafted, superbly researched, and precisely choreographed scenarios and campaigns, to the point that just having his name on a product will guarantee immediate interest in it.
Bill's talents do not end there though. Although he rarely mentions it, Bill holds a bachelor's degree in Education and Religion, and spent nine years in Central America, teaching and ministering in seven different countries. He is also a superb author and historian, as one would expect of a former teacher, meticulous in his research, and graced with the ability to capture the reader with his first sentence, and hold him spellbound to the final period. Invariably, his articles are both informative and thought provoking, and they always convey his deep and abiding respect for the veterans of the conflicts he writes about.
Bill is also a retired bus operator for MARTA, the Metropolitan Atlanta (Georgia) Rapid Transit Authority, as well as being a grandfather nine times over, courtesy of his own six children.
Being so good, at so many things, would be more than enough for the average man, but Bill is not an average man. In addition to everything else, he is also a leader. Under his guidance and administration fans of Steel Panthers: World at War have been blessed now with three distinctly different Mega Campaigns, including his latest masterpiece, "Screaming Eagles 1944-45," which is his most ambitious project so far. He is also the founder and namesake of "Wild Bill's Raiders," one of the Internet's premier wargaming support groups. Since his first attempt at scenario design, in July of 1994, Bill has authored literally thousands of scenarios and campaigns for a variety of computer wargames, but especially the Steel Panthers series. He is also always willing to give advice and help to new scenario designers, encouraging and prodding them to greater heights, forever the teacher and mentor.
For all this, and so much more, that he has done to further our overall enjoyment of this hobby of wargaming, we, the team of designers, testers, and writers who came together under his leadership to create Mega Campaign "Screaming Eagles 1944-45," would like to thank him with our own dedications of this combined effort:
"Wild Bill, if there were such a thing as a 'Wargame Medal of Honor' I have no doubt you would be its first recipient. We salute you!" - B.W. Behling (Editor-in-Chief)
"Thanks Bill, for all you have done for me." - Marc Bayonet Bellizzi
"Wild Bill, it has been my pleasure and privilege to work with you on this project. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute." - Stuart Millis (play tester and OOB guy)
"Thank you so much WB. You have made so many long nights pure fun, and have made so many of us feel like brothers. - Eric 'Goblin' DiNicola (Writer)
"Thanks to Bill, who's been a mentor, a guru, a scholar, a gentleman, a father figure, a leader and above all a true friend to each and every one of us. It's been an honor and a blessing to have had the opportunity to work with him." - Glenn E. Higginbotham (Writer)
"Always, my thoughts of wonderful memories of my Wargaming history include two people, my best friend Don, and Wild Bill. Whether Wild Bill knows it or not he 'schooled' me in how to play and design wargames. He also showed me teamwork and forgiveness. Thank you Wild Bill! For everything you have shown me, and for the friendship you have given me. You will always be a huge part of my life!" - Jess "M4" Housley (Scenario Designer)
"If I were ever in combat, Wild Bill is the kind of man I would want commanding." - Steve Avery (Designer)
"If you read between the lines of "Wild Bill's" bio, you'll find volumes... all of them deserved. Thank you, Kunel, for making a boy's dream come true." - Mark "Irinami" Withers
"I wish to salute here a great historical writer, a superb Team Leader and an unmatched scenario/campaign designer, but above all I want to publicly thank this fine gentleman, for the precious friendship he has offered to each and all of us during these years. Kudos!" - Federico "Resisti" Doveri
"If Wild Bill didn't exist in Computer Wargaming it would be necessary to invent him." - Mark "Warlord" Ezra
"Thank you Bill, for all of the patience you have shown to this once newbie, now veteran tester. It is through the efforts of people like you that allow men like us, to be boys again, if only for a little while. The 'kid' in all of us, salutes you, sir." - Jim1954 Holland (Tester)
"My salute to Wild Bill, Grand Master of Mega Campaigns, Scenarios and AT-mines." - Yki 'Voriax' Hakkarainen
"Bill's accomplishments and contributions to our community surpassed 'legend' status long ago, and yet he continues with the same enthusiasm. More importantly, he inspires this drive in others: the mark of a true teacher and leader. A world of thanks Bill; you do us all proud." - Jim "tracer" Sodano
"What is there to say about Herr Wild Bill? I have had the pleasure of learning under him for two Mega Campaigns now! He has been a great teacher, and I would say, a great friend for the last two years. I hope he gets to live to a ripe old age and see his great-great grand children, so he can pass on his vast knowledge of this great wargaming community." - Don Doom
"Bill, you are an inspiration to us all. Your talent and commitment, along with your mentoring and personality, make this hobby so much better. When grognards discuss the greats of wargaming, Wild Bill Wilder and his Raiders will be mentioned alongside the others like Jim Dunnigan, Gary Grigsby, and Sid Meier. Thanks for all the enjoyment over the years." - Tim McCool (writer)
"Wild Bill, wargaming wouldn't be what it is today without you. You alone have given me, and many people worldwide, more fun than many institutions. Your selfless willingness to give of yourself is only part of what makes you the great person you are. It's been great working with you on this, and other projects, and I look forward to more in the future." - Jim 'Figmo' Faletti
"In the past 7 years that I have had the privilege of knowing him, Wild Bill Wilder has been to the wargaming community, and to me especially, an inspiration, a challenger, an achiever, an educator, and a loyal friend. Wargaming, as we know it, would be extinct without the efforts and accomplishments of Wild Bill. Geronimo!" - Rory 'Steeler' Gallagher
"Thank you Bill for all the wonderful work you brought to the world of war-gaming over the years. From the numerous articles and the terrific scenarios & campaigns, you brought to life for our enjoyment, to the gracious sharing of your wisdom and insight, you have been a class act since day one sir. I am grateful to have made your acquaintance and honored to be able to say that I know you as a person." - Ken "Orzel" Baran
"Thanks Bill, for allowing me to be part of the team. Your kind words have been worth more to me than any form of pay could have been for my particiption in the creation of this MC. It has been a privilege just to be part of the team. I consider myself lucky to be associated with something bearing your name." - Leslie "Les the Sarge" Baines (tester)
"Bill thank you for giving me the chance to work with you over the years. It been a lot of hard work but a lot of fun as well. I've gotten to know Bill and what makes him tick. Bill's got a real love for the games, and for its fans, and each and every article, scenario and mega campaign shows us this. Bill's work never shines so bright as when he does a Mega Campaign, and I expect this one will be no different. Bill has given so much time to this hobby that I can see no better way to honor him." - David "Sgt Rock" Heath
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What, me worry?
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