The Death Of Bill Torrens

[larry_cockerham]

A little Jack Daniels will be sipped in Tennessee, after the toast. A good Confederate is hard to find, especially in England.

[unionblue]

Larry,

"A good Confederate is hard to find, especially in England."

Amen.

Unionblue

[cedarstripper]

I've been reading through some of Bill's old posts this morning. He did not elude the point at hand. He had integrity. He had honesty.

[unionblue]

Ceaderstripper,

The man faced you head on with joy and no fear. He was there to learn as much as he was to teach. He didn't have a deceitful bone in his body and he had no problem admitting when he was wrong or saying if he had no evidence to support a view.

In other words, a Southern gentleman if ever there was one, and one of the most respected and dangerous foes ever faced in a debate here on this forum.

You could not blow Bill off or call him up short in his views. The man could produce the most disturbing and troubling viewpoints of support for the Southern view it has ever been my privilege to witness and try to rebutt.

You had to be sure of your sources and your intentions, because one cheery reply by Bill and you had to go back to your books and reevaluate your answer.

I'll miss the h e l l out of that man.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[milhistbuff1]

I will miss Bill immensely. I would have loved to have met him. Alas, if not in this world, the next.

Right now I bet Lord Salisbury and Prime Ministers Gladstone and Disraeli are getting a run for their money. I've learned more from him than from many a professor. I'll be sure to hoist one in his honor on St Patrick's Day.



They are the abstract and brief chronicles of the time: after your death you were better have a bad epitaph than their ill report while you live. (Hamlet Act 2 Scene II)

This fell Sergeant, death,
is strict in his arrest. (Hamlet Act 5 Scene II)

Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
(Julius Caesar Act 2 Scene II)

'Tis very sure that the desire for life prolongs it. (Lord Byron)

[Rad2duhbone53]

Hearing of someone passing away always makes my heart heavy. To hear of someone who has the amount of passion for American History that this gent had makes me melancholy. My condolences to his wife and family and to those here that count him a friend and colleague.We have lost one that had the same kindred spirit as us.


May he rest in peace with those that we talk about.

[9thKYCoC]

I had not the privilege of knowing him, however I did read his posts. He was indeed insightful and knowledgeable.

A taste of Kentucky bourbon, the sweet smell of a fine cigar and a Vacant Chair.

Salute Sir, you will be missed.

Pvt. Kirk

[thea_447]

Although he is no longer a member of this forum, Bill's very good friend, Tommy, aka mental_nomad , but mostly aphilbilly, asked that I post his respects. Thea

For me, there does not exist, in any known human tongue, any words that will not merely serve to diminish what I feel about Bill’s passing and the man himself. I could tell of my unending admiration, respect and gratitude, and it would all be true. Or of his many very, very real accomplishments. And that would all be true as well. But it all would only be the palest shadow of the mountain itself. I loved Bill like a brother and I wept when he died. I miss him now and I always will.

Bill and I discoursed on a great many topics and one was music. For reasons known only to Bill, he sent me a compilation disk he’d dubbed. It was the music of Warren Zevon. The selections covered Zevon’s works pretty much from his start to his all-too-early demise. Tracks that Bill particularly liked. They run the gamut from biting and sardonic to sad and downright dark. But one track seems to fit for right now.

Sorry Bill, but it just had to be this song. Hope you do not mind overmuch by my copping out and using a song’s lyrics as an epitaph. You surely merit more from me.

Wherever you may be, my good friend, Rest in Peace. I fervently pray you are where you always hoped to end up. No man deserves it more. I’ll see you in the next life, wake me for the meals.

Tommy Coone
Burns, Tennessee

Renegade
By Warren Zevon

Some prayers never reach the sky
Some wounds never heal
They still say someday the South will rise
Man, I want to see that deal

I don't want to grow old gracefully
I don't want to go 'til it's too late
I'll be some old man in the road somewhere
Kneeling down in the dust by the side of the interstate

I am a renegade
I've been a rebel all my days
I am a renegade
I've been a rebel all my days

We were hopelessly outnumbered
It was a lost cause all along
But when we heard the bugles call
We swore we'd stand or fall together right or wrong

We ain't seen no reconstruction here
Just the scorched earth all around
And the high school band played "Dixieland"
While they tore our tattered flags and banners down

I am a renegade
I've been a rebel all my days
I am a renegade
I've been a rebel all my days

Some prayers never reach the sky
Some wars never end
Some dreams refuse to die
Next time I would rather break than bend

I am a renegade
I've been a rebel all my days
I am a renegade
I've been a rebel all my days

****************************************

[cash]

A sad day. Bill and I crossed rhetorical swords on a number of occasions. While I disagreed profoundly with his positions, he was always filled with good humor and kindness. My prayers are with his family.

Regards,
Cash

[larry_cockerham]

Originally Posted by unionblue

Larry,



Amen.

Unionblue

Neil, I actually know several men and ladies who are in the good category and, if the Confederacy hadn't been abruptly terminated, would have been at the front of the march. The Confederacy, alas, lives todays in the hearts of those who love the South for numerous reasons. There are squirrels in the bunch, but that could be said of many a mighty oak. Bill Torrens was a believer and set a good example for others.