fatcat0524 Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 Bill was one pf the nicest guys you could ever meet. He was part of the Empire Statesmen when my daughter and I met him. Her, playinig Soprano and I on Support Staff. He was always making tapes for us of our performances among them our tribute to the soldiers buried in the Netherlands ,when we visited Europe. My daughter was young, never played in a drum corp and Bill was there to help her. Even then he was having medical problems but put everyone else first. Rest peacefully, Bill...we will miss you. Sharon Stern- Empire Statesmen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scerpella Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 I only met and marched with Bill in the 2004 season with the Kilties. It is truly hard not to be impressed with a man for whom this activity meant so much. And given the medical issues he had already dealt with by the time I met him, he clearly was a remarkable guy. I firmly believe we all will meet again someday. I have the distinct impression when I catch up with Bill, he will be marching with an all age corps up there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDale Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 Very sad news indeed. I had the disctinct pleasure of being Bill's drum major for many years in the Kilties Senior. He always played his solos right on and was a great member of the corps. Rest in Peace, Brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankBeMe Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 :( RIP Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCSeymour Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 Bill always made sure everyone who wanted any tape,he had made,got one. Bill will be missed by all who had the Honor of meeting him. As my Kiltie Brother Moon Stated, Plaid Tears for my friend. Bill is probably at this very moment, Jamming with Pepi and the rest of the gang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassop Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 (edited) ..... My daughter was young, never played in a drum corp and Bill was there to help her. Even then he was having medical problems but put everyone else first. .... Sharon Stern- Empire Statesmen For Bill, going above and beyond was the routine. He was a soil specialist for the DNR and had retired in 2005. As with your daughter, he was always helping youth and so was excited about his new endeavor: sharing his expertise with the YMCA (as referenced below in his last email to me this June: ----- Original Message ---- From: Bill Semeyn <essoprano@triton.net> To: Derek Harmon <dharmon8@ameritech.net> Sent: Sunday, June 18, 2006 9:35:36 PM Subject: Re: Hey Bill it's Derek Hey Derek! Sorry my replying takes so long. Been really busy with my new part time job. I'm the children's Garden Coordinator for a local YMCA camp. It's only supposed to be 16 hours a week but I put in 8 hours a day for the last two weeks getting the garden ready for the start of camp. I'm doing all right now. I had shoulder surgery for what was supposed to be a torn rotator cuff but ended up being adhesive capsulitis, and then had 8 weeks of torture therapy. Still playing in the brass band and enjoying every minute of it! how about you? i'm getting a better tan than I used to in Drum Corps working in that garden :o} See ya! Bill Semeyn "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" Edited November 25, 2006 by Brassop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brent Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 Bill sounds like a drum corps lifer. My prayers are with his family. Does anyone have a picture they can post? I must have met this person yet I can not recall his face. Rest in Peace my drum corps friend. create peace, Brent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnHoekstra Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 Bill Semeyn passed away this this past weekend.Bill was a soprano soloist and life member of the Kilties, and most recently marched with us in 2004 despite health problems that would have kept lesser men on the sidelines. Bill also marched as recently as 2003 with the Empire Statesmen, and was honored to have won a championship with them, marching in their American Section at DCA finals in 2004. Bill hailed from Grand Rapids, MI, making marching All Age corps a long commute and incredible commitment, but Bill had a passion for our activity like few others and happily made sacrifices to march. In 2002, Bill became an Associate Member of the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame, a distinction that was richly deserved. Bill's courage and commitment has so impressed us in the Kilties, that starting in 2004, we present the annual "Bill Semeyn Award" at our banquet to the member that most exemplifies the qualities of courage and commitment. Please join the members of the Kilties in praying for Bill and his family. WWBD :( Wow...thats a bit of sad news. I'm glad I was able to see and talk with him out in Rochester. He was looking good then, at least considering all he's been through. So long my brother....we'll meet again.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted December 1, 2006 Author Share Posted December 1, 2006 Services for Bill will be at Fort Custard, Battle Creek, MI. on December 15th at 1:00 PM. There will be a full military service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroguy Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 Services for Bill will be at Fort Custard, Battle Creek, MI. on December 15th at 1:00 PM.There will be a full military service. Hopefullt some of his Drum Corp bretheren will be there to play "Taps". It would be a shame if it was pre-recorded Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.