Bill Anderson embodied the spirit of kindness,
and will be remembered forever.

 


If you feel so moved, please enter a thought, feeling or memory about Bill below.
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Your Name : Michael Elley
How You Knew Bill : When I moved to Nashville
 
Your Thoughts: met Bill Anderson the day after I moved to Nashville, 19 years ago. We became fast friends. He let me share his office, his business, and his life. And he was my Best Man at our wedding. Bill was a gentleman of the first order; and no better friend could anyone have. He supported me emotionally and financially when I needed him the most. We worked together for several years. I loved this man, and I will miss him. My world is a better place for Bill Anderson having been a major part of it. Heaven just picked up a good one!!
 
 
Your Name : Karen Elley
How You Knew Bill : Bill Anderson was our Best Man
 
Your Thoughts: In 1995, when Michael and I exchanged our wedding vows, Bill Anderson was our Best Man, and he remains one of the best men I have ever known. He was a gentle man as well as a gentleman, always kind, loving and generous. Bill took care of people, his friends, but especially his family -- his grandmother, his mother, an ailing aunt and his beloved, Claudia. He and Claudia loved to entertain and we hold in our hearts many memories of the happy times when we gathered with our friends in their home. I cherish those times, the joy, laughter and the loving support that were so much a part of Bill's life. But most of all, I treasure his ever present smile, the warmth of his embrace and knowing that Bill loves us as much as we love him, now and always. Our dear friend has made his transition, but he has not left us, Bill will always be in our hearts. Thank you, Mr. B for sharing your life with us.
 
 
Your Name : Paula Jones
How You Knew Bill : Cousin
 
Your Thoughts: was fortunate to have married into the family via his cousin Clint Jones (who will be a pall bearer) and have always enjoyed being around him. Bill always made time for us when we visited the family no matter what was going on in his life or business. He had a very special bond with his mother, his aunt ‘T’ and grandmommie Jones. I remember grandmommie’s 100th birthday (I believe it was her 100th) he bought her a red rider bb gun to shoot the squirrels in her backyard that were getting in her garden and he also had 100 balloons delivered to her house. He and Clint were like brothers when they were growing up, as they had no siblings. Bill was the ‘big brother’ and would take Clint around Nashville to see the sites when they were in their teens. Needless to say, Clint loved every minute of it. They’d listen to the sounds of Nashville while cruising. Clint has fond memories of this. We will miss Bill tremendously. But, we are saddened mostly for Claudia. They loved each other so much and he still had so much to give. He was so blessed as are all of us for having had him in ours lives.
 
 
Your Name : Tim
How You Knew Bill : Been my friend forever
 
Your Thoughts: When I look back into the history of the Ormond's, Bill Anderson is there. He was in my parent's films back in the 60s. Then as I move forward in time, he was there helping us make a religious film in the 70s. Later we collaborated on projects and had some fun at Universal studios together when I visited him in LA. Sneaking past the guards and walking into the back lot, "it's easy he told me, just act like you work here". And it worked.

Bill has been a friend, a good friend for many years. It is rare (and wonderful) to walk through this life and still count someone a close friend after so many, many years, this I did with Bill.

When my mom was sick, Bill was there with concerns, help and a friendly ear to discuss my problems. When money was tight, he took care of a pressing need.

I'm thankful to have known Bill on this physical plane, and know now that his spirit soars, reuniting in some magical, spiritual way with those who have already made the transition. We miss him, that is of course obvious, but also we know he soars free and strong, above the clouds and turmoil's.

Soar my friend; I will see you again one day.
 
 
Your Name : Chris Greenwood
How You Knew Bill : I have known and worked with Bill for sixteen years
 
Your Thoughts: The last time I saw Bill was in Shelbyville,TN. That was also the place where we first met. I hired on to shoot the Celibration horse show, figured I could use the extra money. Little did I know it would run for sixteen years and hundreds of shoot dates. Bill scared me a little at first, he was gruff with me. Rightly so, I can be a little strange at times, but over the years Bill seemed to warm up to me, we started talking more and I began to see through to the inside Bill. Bill had a passion for some of the same things I did...Film making for example. In 1999 I directed a short film for a NFVA, Actors Allience project. Bill and Claudia showed up at the screening, I will always remember how proud it made me feel when Bill came up to me and shook my hand and told me I did a good job. I also remember 9/11/ 2001, It was mid morning and I was building a deck on a house next door to Bill's house. Unable to concentrate on work my attention was fixed on the radio and the events that were unfolding. Bill came out to say good morning. He hadn't heard the news yet, I told him what had happened. We sat quietly togeather, listening to the radio, trying to understand why all this was happening.

Bill was always thoughtful of others and I noticed that early. He also was kind, generous, smart, artistic, a big horse lover, a southern gentleman, a romantic, a loyal friend, a mentor, a friend.

I thought once how to discribe Bill and all I could come up with was a teddy bear with a backbone of steel!
Some of you know what I mean.

Bill, I thank you for the talks, the corrective criticism when I messed up and for the encouragement when I did something good. I could always count on you to be a straight shooter..... Someone to look up to.


Your friend,
Chris
 
 
Your Name : Mike Murrian
How You Knew Bill : work for him
 
Your Thoughts: While my time knowing Bill has been limited to only over 2 years. I can honestly say I felt as though I had known him much longer. I first met Bill when a friend in the video business told me that they were looking for some camera operators in Shelbyville TN for the walking horse shows. I have shared many trips and shoots with Bill from that time and was working for him at the time I learned of his passing. I don't think I have done anything so difficult as this week has been for me that while directing a show on the road for a man that will be sorely missed and was much loved, I only can reflect on the kind of person Bill was and hope to be a fraction of the man he was. The impact he has made on me and my life will never be forgotten. I am very greatful for the time I had with him and though it was very short, very much was given. To a good friend and mentor who will be missed but will live on in me and the hearts of many whos lives he has also touched.
 
 
Your Name : Mark Ramey
How You Knew Bill : Through Tim Ormond and work
 
Your Thoughts: I met Bill and Claudia about 14 years ago through our mutual friend Tim Ormond. It was about 5 years ago that I actually started working with Bill. I feel lucky to have been able to count Bill as a friend. I have many fond memories from the road as well as from industry events and especially birthday parties over the past few years. I'm so glad I was able to see him on the fourth of July. We will miss you Bill. There's a new bright star in the heavens.
 
 
Your Name : Jack Gilmer
How You Knew Bill : Associate
 
Your Thoughts: I was in the Bullpin Lounge at the Stockyard restaurant in 1983 and Tex, whom I knew from visting there many times before, came up and Said "I got somebody I'd like you to meet. Bill Anderson." I said Tex, I've met Bill Anderson. He said "NO the OTHER Bill Anderson." Well,,,He didn't know what he was starting. Sure there were been some bumps along the way but they were always resolved without blood shed. After 24 years, many horse shows and other productions, I come to say goodbye to a wonderfull friend and associate. Rest in peace buddy.
 
 
Your Name : Eddie King
How You Knew Bill : Worked together on films in the '70s
 
Your Thoughts: Bill and I met working together on the Ormond films of the ‘70’s. We often shared hotel rooms on location shoots and spent considerable time together on and off set while shooting in the middle of nowhere. He was such a gentle and easy person to be with, it was always easy to think you’d known him forever. His sense of humor was truly unique and one of the special qualities for which I’ll always remember him. We worked together under sometimes stressful circumstances, and he could always diffuse the tension at just the right moment.
About the time he began the horse work I was easing out of the motion picture business, though our paths did cross again later through our mutual interest in certain men’s movement issues. Though I’ve not seen Bill for years, we’ve continued to relay greetings through mutual friends and I am profoundly moved by his passing. I believe that he is the first of the group of guys that I grew up with in the business to depart and that, along with my personal affection toward Bill gives great pause for reflection.
 
 
Your Name : Aunt Maella (Jones)
How You Knew Bill : Since his birth
 
Your Thoughts: Bill, I remember when you rode a Stick Horse when you were about 4 or 5. The family tells a story of how you drew back the stick horse when an uncle tried to scare you by running his false teeth out of his mouth. I have loved you for all the years I have been in this family, and I loved your parents.
 
 
Your Name : Randal Brooks
How You Knew Bill : worked for him
 
Your Thoughts:
I first met Bill and started working for him in 1987. He, Alan Coleman and Jack Gilmer would rent and buy equipment from the video company that I worked for. They told me they needed a camera operator for the Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration in Shelbyville. The first few years I didn't talk to Bill all that much. The last ten years I have had several road trips with him to other horse shows, with him driving the truck and me in a car behind him. Driving 12 or 18 hours is boring by itself but Bill would always keep us entertained over the walkie talkie radios. Eating with him was always fun especially when he would ask the waitress for a description of each item. I was running camera on one of his horse shows when I was told of his passing. For the last 3 years Bill and I have had several conversations about gardening. I gave him and Claudia fresh vegetables from our garden. Bill knew alot about horses and he enjoyed talking about them. When working the shows in the future I will always feel his presence and remember our fun times together. I will sadly miss him
 
 
Your Name : Claudia
How You Knew Bill : fiancee
 
Your Thoughts: My heart is broken. Bill was the rock, the light, and the love of my life. I've always been a bit crazy-creative, and Bill embraced that side of me as well as helping to anchor me. He was my teacher, guiding me about anything I asked about with so much wisdom and love. Bill knew and understood me better than anyone in the world, and I him. I will so miss my best friend, the person to whom I told everything that mattered to me, the person I wanted by my side wherever I was. My dearest Bill, I will always love you.
 
 
Your Name : andy van roon
How You Knew Bill : film friend
 
Your Thoughts: i knew of Bill years before i met him, because his reputation as a consummate film pro was well-known around the production community. i got to meet him a few years ago, and the immediate impression he conveyed was the same as the last times i saw him in physical form over the last few weeks: a person in easy command of any situation, the calm eye of any storm -- oftentimes good storms created and overseen by him. even over the last few months, while he was dealing with the variable circumstances that all humans ultimately have to navigate toward a bridge we all have to cross, he did so with consummate serenity, and a spiritual vision that was already looking a thousand light years down the road. upon even the darkest nights, there will always be a light illuminating Claudia wherever she goes, and it will not be the moon. it will be Bill.
 
 
Your Name : Gene Smith
How You Knew Bill : working horse shows
 
Your Thoughts: There was a stretch there where I think I worked just about every horse show Bill had, so we logged quite a few miles together. It was during a difficult period in my life and Bill was always a good friend as well as boss during that time and I will always remember his kindness and support. I know you're listening, Bill, so thanks for the help, the good stories, good travel, good restaurant food, the great support, and, oh yeah, that white shirt in Oklahoma City.
 
 
Your Name : John
How You Knew Bill : Friend
 
Your Thoughts: Bill was my first client 12 years ago when I began my career here in Nashville. My first real edit “gig” was the 1995 Celebration Action Highlights and I got to introduce him to the brand new concept of non-linear computer editing. He was very insistent that I edit it exactly the way he had planned it out using the timecode he has painstakingly organized and tested. Each time I created the graphics for the class titles, he insisted the lettering wasn’t big enough. He wanted white big blocky Helvetica type that totally and completely filled the screen, corner to corner, with such titles as “OWNER AMATEUR RIDERS ON WALKING MARES 15.2 AND UNDER”. I mean, imagine all of that completely filling the screen!! I kept trying to add some kind of artistic elegance to such graphics any how I could, but my ideas kept getting shot down and removed.

I’m chuckling to myself as I type this because Bill was the first person that really taught me how to do exactly what my client asks me to do. And, now after so many years and so many clients, I can’t tell you how glad I am that I learned that lesson from Bill. He was so very patient with me. When I think about it now, I think he may have been that way with me BECAUSE he knew I needed it. He was thinking of me and my good and wanted to help make me a better editor, a better professional and a better person.

Bill was not the kind of person that said, “How are you” as a greeting. He meant it and appreciated an honest answer… Even if that meant you spent the next hour and a half in his office talking about life’s trials, entanglements, and victories. Sure the phone would ring, emails would ping, and the fax would spit out paper, but the most important thing to him was people and sharing life with them. I loved his attitude that business would get done somehow, but “right now let’s talk. How are you?”

I tried my best to return the favor over the years. I loved to listen to him dream, scheme and plan for new ways we could make a living together. I also loved to talk about spiritual matters with him. I felt completely comfortable telling him about my faith in Christ, and I enjoyed learning about his deep and committed spiritual walk. It was completely impossible to stop by his office and just drop off a DVD. I can’t tell you how many times a simple errand turned into a refreshing two-hour deep personal and intimate conversation about LIFE.

Last night I rolled out a copy of the 2006 Celebration Action Highlight reel for use in the upcoming TV spots promoting this year. The graphics are large still, but they don’t fill the screen. He let me start adding video behind the graphics a few years back and encouraged me to try a new look each year. I added a really fancy new WdA logo animation too. This last year he pretty much turned the whole thing over to me because he trusted me so much. I can’t tell you how honored I feel to have earned Bill Anderson’s trust as an editor, as a professional and most importantly as a friend.

I miss my friend deeply. I will undoubtedly miss him for years to come as the many reminders of him and how he touched my life reappear. I am a different man because of the influence of Bill Anderson and I thank the Lord for putting him in my life.
 
 
Your Name : Doug Stephens
How You Knew Bill : Work
 
Your Thoughts: We'll all miss Bill, but I believe his goodness can live on through us and our memories of him.
 
 
Your Name : Forrest
How You Knew Bill : Horse
 
Your Thoughts: "HE WAS A GOOD FRIEND, A GOOD MAN, AND A GOOD HUMAN BEING!!
 
 
Your Name : Kevin Booth
How You Knew Bill : I worked for bill
 
Your Thoughts: I worked for Bill at the NEW ENGLAND MORGAN HORSE SHOW for the last three years. When I heard that Bill was ill, I hoped for the best. During the last show, Bill past away. This is not something I had expected. Bill will surely be missed.
I will continue to work the show, if possible in memory of Bill and his deication of his passion for horses.
 
 
Your Name : Dyann & Michael Woody
How You Knew Bill : Church
 
Your Thoughts: We love and miss Bill! A warm, loving man who always had a hug and a smile to give. We are honored to have known you and keep you close to our hearts. Much love to you.