RIP, Bill. I didn’t know he’d been sick so this is a shock. Bill was an amazing player. His passing is something that I will always remember:
Damn, only 71…. Condolences to his family and to all of the fans who have to process the loss of a great basketball player and what seemed like a genuine good Dude. Cancer doesn’t give a shit and it can fuck right off!
Cancer sucks. I had the pleasure of meeting Bill at the Tournament of the Americas back in 92. Just a super nice guy! RIP.
On Memorial Day mark passing of most memorable Blazer. He had a right to keep his medical condition private. Enjoy playing with Luke again and jamming with Jerry.
I choose "most talented" or "best" over "greatest," which requires a long career. Every UCLA game was on local TV. As a rookie fan at the start of his sophomore season, I missed very few of his varsity games for 3 years. (J-V freshmen games weren't on TV.) I've written here about the simultaneous 33-game-win-streak of West, Goodrich, and Chamberlain. When pressed, I allowed TV/UCLA to interrupt radio/Lakers (pushing my 2-foot-long-hair out of the way and waiting for the Revolution).
One of the few to come visit Bill Schonely before he passed. He was a true class act. Sad to see you go Bill. RIP.
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I got to meet Walton several times through fundraisers BG was involved with, and Bill was so interesting to watch in the "wild". He was so open, patient and animated to anyone who wanted a quick (yeah, right) chat and a photo op. What really impressed me that, no matter how many people were waiting for a moment of his time, he never, ever rushed them along. He gave everyone genuine quality time. I've met (or been around) my share of professional athletes in 70 years but I have never seen that from anyone else. The guy really was in a class all by himself.
RIP Bill. But at least the Blazers are free of the infamous "Walton Curse" now...they can win a championship again!!
RIP! A really sad day. He was and probably always will be my all time favorite blazer. I had season tickets at the time we drafted Walton and had many great times watching him play. Blazer fans alway mention Dame and Clyde as the best blazer of all time but imo Walton will always be the best and isn’t even close.
