We just received word that our dear friend Bill Alderson passed away last night. Not very many knew that Bill was battling a very rapid onset of an aggressive leukemia.
Bill's battle is over and he is with God. Please remember his family in your prayers as they struggle through what must be a very difficult time. Stand by for details.
John and Peggy
Last edited by Peggy M; 05/02/202310:20 PM.
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery || In the Gallery Forum "I didn't see this one coming. I don't see much of anything coming. :-O"
Knowing this man and his family has been an honor for us. No matter what level of enthusiast of all things old, trucks, equipment or even mowers and the like, that you are, Bill was your equal. He would share with anyone who asked. His level of passion for our hobby will be surely missed. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this so I'll comment more later, Scott
John talked to Bill on the phone about the restoration of this truck while I did the typing. Man, it was hard to keep up. Bill was such a great story-teller and as everyone knows, every one of his trucks had a great story. We only had gotten as far as three so far (they are linked at the bottom of the Gallery story).
Bill's collection was so fascinating, we even made up the Bill Alderson Collection Stovebolt calendar each year. John always got one of those (now, the truck calendar pages from 2011 are pasted all over #3 grandson's bedroom walls here at the house -- he only can say "big truck" or "red truck" -- can't say "black" so he insists one of them is blue ).
There are so many stories to go along with the Bill Alderson (and family) experience. The Gallery story at least scratches the surface.
Peg
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery || In the Gallery Forum "I didn't see this one coming. I don't see much of anything coming. :-O"
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery || In the Gallery Forum "I didn't see this one coming. I don't see much of anything coming. :-O"
sorry to hear of his passing, my God bless his family and friends
Redryder pix My Hotrod A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life." I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option.
Keep on building em Bill. I need one to drive when I get there! God Bless. RIP
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
There's a sentence I said in that GMC gallery submission that states he would go to his grave living and breathing trucks....Just last week, he made a phone call to a guy in his area about a truck body we needed for our latest project, from his hospital bed! I called him several times while he was in the hosp. and after we got done talking about his latest procedures, it went right to the project! I could actually hear him perk up while talking trucks, and I was happy to oblige.
Wayne and Troy have some big shoes to fill, but if anyone can, they will! Scott
I'm sorry I wasn't able to write more about Bill when we first posted this.
As best I recall (and Scott can correct me), Scott met Bill first and the FIRST Kansas City Reunion (after that first one, that made it official). A few years after, Bill wanted to host those coming in early for a picnic at his place. Sounded good to us ... not sure why someone would want to.
Well, the early crew is maybe half the regular crew. When we showed up at the Alderson's, it was funny. I don't think Patty could make any sense of what in the world we were doing there. Although, she had a really nice spread set for us to chow on.
Once we got to their place, we even MORE wondered why in the world would someone want US to come see them.
Well, then they all headed to the truck barns and that was all she wrote. Everyone was talking trucks, looking at trucks, taking pictures of trucks, etc.
Bill was amazing! He was so personal and down-to-earth. We loved it. He certainly was our regular kind of Stovebolt guy.
Each year after that, we always got a great warm welcome from the whole family. We all really felt special.
Even when The Ned showed up, driving all the way from Maryland in his Suburban ... they gave him a special welcome for such an endeavor.
We cannot say enough ... we will miss that man. But we know there is a LOT of that man in Wayne and Troy.
Peg
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery || In the Gallery Forum "I didn't see this one coming. I don't see much of anything coming. :-O"
Last year I asked him about the caves and the work he was doing there. He said I was more than welcome to come a few days ahead of the re-union and he would be happy to show me around. He was very hospitable and friendly.
My condolences to Patty and the rest of the family.
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Vicki and I met Bill and his family at the last couple reunions. Great father figure, family man and just a good person to know. God Speed to Bill and the Family!
Don & Vicki King
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery '46 2-Ton grain truck | '50 2-ton flatbed | '54 Pontiac Straight Eight | '54 Plymouth Belvidere | '70 American LaFrance pumper fire truck | '76 Triumph TR-6 Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
It may be too late at this point, but does anyone have any info on funeral arrangements. The Aldersons live right down the road from me. Literally, less than 4 miles. I first met Bill at the pre-reunion barbecue last year. What an amazing man and family. His classic Chevy collection is indesribably cool. I'd love to attend the funeral to pay my respects.
We met Bill and Patty a few years back at their open house before the reunion. What a great couple. Bill was one heck of a nice guy, and Patty made us feel so welcome.
Theresa and I would also like to express our condolences to Patty and the rest of the family.
Wow, I met Bill once a couple years ago and was really looking forward to visiting again some september. I remember the great stories, interesting trucks, more interesting trucks, and that he was as nice a guy as you could ever hope to meet.
I had a critical meeting come up at work so I couldn't attend the funeral. I was able to get to the visitation at th funeral home last night. There was a huge crowd of freinds and family in attendance. I had to wait in line for 2 hours to see the family but it was worth every minute.
Evidently Bill never met anyone that didn't like him. Seeing that many people coming to pay their respects was quite moving. He was a great man.
Yeah Larry, we were in line for 2 hours also, was awesome to see his Stovebolt calendars laid up among the family pictures and such. Gonna miss him a lot last fall he and I made a couple trips up to our farm and got some good talks in. Wayne will carry on the trucks I know although last night I could tell he's stressing with all his dad's stuff loading on his shoulders. The Business mainly. I know he'll take care of it in fine Anderson fashion. Couldn't make the funeral today because I had work commitments I just couldn't get out of but Several of the Truck Club and ATHS and other truck guys were discussing the convoy for the funeral today so I know he got a great send off. RIP Bill
i totally was shocked by this news of his passing !! met the gentleman for the first time at last years stovebolt reunion and sat across the table from him at our evening dinner at some kc steak house . he made me feel like i known him for years ! GREAT GUY!! maybe this year we should do something at the reunion to honor him ?? may god bless him and his family and they will be in my prayers ! mike &pat wahl norwalk iowa
Just got home from the funeral...not a dry eye in the house, including ours. People from all walks of life came to honor Bill over the last few days, just goes to show what kind of gentleman he was!!!
I agree on having a memorial of some sort for him since many people will be bringing there trucks for the first time this year (me included). Patti is still planning on something for Thursdays pre-show truckshow that we usually do. But we will need some time before committing right now I'm sure, Scott
You're right Scott, we have to do something, for sure. We can all give it some thought and see what ideas pop up. I certainly don't mind contributing, whatever it may be.
Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society.
Redryder pix My Hotrod A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life." I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option.
Just realized this thread was here. It goes without saying that Bill was genuine without a doubt. I was at his place twice and each time it was in awe. As was stated earlier, Bill will be up in heaven keeping them running for when we arrive. God Bless.
Haven't been around the bolt much this summer, been wearin' a lot of different hats and that's been keepin' me away from the forum. Fred just gave me the news about Bill's passing. Only had the pleasure of meeting him one time, my condolences go out to his family. Pete and I made it down to KC from Chicago a couple of years back and meeting the Alderson bunch and getting the tour was the highlight of the trip, quite a nice collection of trucks.
It was good to see the Alderson Clan at the Reunion this year. We all hoped to go to the grave site but Patty suggested next year since his grave stone was not yet in.
We sure missed him and his great truck stories ... and just his cheerful self!
Bill's legacy does live on, that's for sure.
Peg
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery || In the Gallery Forum "I didn't see this one coming. I don't see much of anything coming. :-O"
In December 2022, John added Bill's 1984 GMC General to the Gallery Forum. There has been renewed discussion about the truck in there and I thought it should go in this thread in remembering all things Bill Alderson.
It's hard to believe Bill has been gone almost 10 years this month. His legacy lives on and a lot of his good spirit also.
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery || In the Gallery Forum "I didn't see this one coming. I don't see much of anything coming. :-O"
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