Sad news. Remembering billydonn
05-24-15, 02:17 PM
#26
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I've been asked to post info for his memorial service here.
If anyone is going to be in Omaha on June 7, the service will be at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) in the HPER building between 3 and 5.
If anyone is going to be in Omaha on June 7, the service will be at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) in the HPER building between 3 and 5.
05-26-15, 09:19 AM
#27
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Very sorry to hear. My prayers and condolences to his family. He will be missed for sure.
05-26-15, 10:33 AM
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05-26-15, 01:37 PM
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I didn't know Billydonn in person; in fact I just went back through some of his posts to verify he's the person I was remembering - unfortunately he was. I was very impressed (and inspired) by his indoor trainer exploits; I dislike riding the trainer so much that his posts were awe-inspiring. I wish condolences to his family and all his friends, both here on BF and in the real world.
KB
KB
05-27-15, 06:23 AM
#32
Beicwyr Hapus
I never knew Billydonn other than through his posts to this forum, but his sense of enjoyment of his life shone through those posts. I particularly remember reading and enjoying his thread on touring in Italy two years ago.
Another good man gone.
Another good man gone.
Last edited by Gerryattrick; 05-27-15 at 09:33 AM.
05-28-15, 03:51 AM
#33
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Sorry to hear that, I rode with him at the Harpeth River ride in Franklin Tn. during the 4th 50+ ride. He was one of the most enthusiastic riders.
Marc
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05-28-15, 01:07 PM
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Sad news, I never met the man but i did very much enjoy his posts from his trip to Italy.
05-31-15, 12:00 PM
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I've not had the heart to check back in much since Tom Stormcrowe passed. And now I am truly saddened by the passing of Billydonn. I know we're all headed to the same fate eventually, but this knowledge does not make the losses and easier. My thoughts and prayer are with his family.
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Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
05-31-15, 02:16 PM
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Billydonn's post on winter trainer workouts had me seriously considering buying a trainer. I was inspired by his efforts training with younger cyclist. Instead, I was motivated to put fenders on the bike and ride more outside during the winter.
Very sad to read this, you'll be missed Billydonn. RIP
Very sad to read this, you'll be missed Billydonn. RIP
06-08-15, 07:21 PM
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Really sad news. Don and I met-up in Wisconsin in 2012 and we rode again near Omaha in 2013. I also enjoyed his thread on riding in Italy. Life can be too short.
See: https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus...ectacular.html
See: https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus...ectacular.html
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 06-08-15 at 07:25 PM.
04-07-17, 12:30 PM
#39
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WOW! I just heard about Don yesterday. Haven't been very active here or riding lately. Mr. Beanz posted a message on my last Strava ride wondering if I had "retired from riding", (I haven't been riding much lately due to training my replacement, retiring, and organizing my multi-state move to my retirement home). In the course of several message exchanges, I learned that Don had passed on to his reward. I am shocked! Don was a great guy and in addition to riding, we shared a common interest, (we were both college/university professors).
May the wind always be at your back, Don, as you ride from cloud to cloud in the great here-after.
Don and myself one year on a Glendora Mountain Road Fourth of July ride.
Mr. Beanz on the left, Don, myself, and another gentleman who's name I cannot remember. Same Fourth of July GMR ride.
May the wind always be at your back, Don, as you ride from cloud to cloud in the great here-after.
Don and myself one year on a Glendora Mountain Road Fourth of July ride.
Mr. Beanz on the left, Don, myself, and another gentleman who's name I cannot remember. Same Fourth of July GMR ride.
04-08-17, 12:32 PM
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I've also just just found out about Don's passing. So sad.
My wife and I met him on the first 50+ meetup in CO and enjoyed both riding with him and chewing the fat over drinks in the evenings. He's sorely missed, I am sure.
My wife and I met him on the first 50+ meetup in CO and enjoyed both riding with him and chewing the fat over drinks in the evenings. He's sorely missed, I am sure.
04-08-17, 07:01 PM
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That is sad news indeed. Billydon took my avitar photo on the high trestle trail near Des Moines.
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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
04-08-17, 07:04 PM
#43
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I hope his family knows how many people he touched here on BF alone.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
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04-09-17, 02:57 PM
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Always looked forward to his daily post when he took us to Italy.I was so impressed a year later we went to Italy.Rest In Peace My Friend!
04-09-17, 07:38 PM
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Stuck my nose back into the forums this week after a couple years break and quickly find out that two or the great guys that posted and participated here are now gone. Like others I enjoyed the indoor riding postings of billydon. RIP billydon.
04-15-17, 06:11 AM
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Hard to believe he's been gone almost two years.
As mentioned earlier in the thread, I had the great pleasure of meeting up with him for a ride in October of 2012. I had a layover in Council Bluffs, so I got in touch with him to see if he wanted to meet up.
Here's a short video of our ride on the Wabash Trace Trail.
As mentioned earlier in the thread, I had the great pleasure of meeting up with him for a ride in October of 2012. I had a layover in Council Bluffs, so I got in touch with him to see if he wanted to meet up.
Here's a short video of our ride on the Wabash Trace Trail.
04-24-17, 05:31 AM
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This recollection of Billydon just reminds me that we should enjoy the friends we have while we have them!
04-24-17, 06:49 AM
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Its still hard to wrap my mind around Donn's passing away, he and I stayed in contact during his battle with brain cancer. Up until the very end he stayed positive, but he also was a very pragmatic person. No kidding himself about the odds being stacked against him, but when he had a rally and images showed the tumor responding to the treatment, even shrinking some, he was enthusiastic.
I suppose it was because we are from the same area, Southwest Alabama in his case, and Northwest Florida for me. Mobile and Pensacola are pretty much one SMSA as far as the bean counters are concerned. When I joined here he was one of the first to send me a PM, it was about our common home stomping grounds. He found out I didn't use a HR monitor when I ride, so he sent me a Polar set up, complete and ready to go. Kind of amazing that a complete stranger does something so thoughtful.
Donn was not the stereotypical southern guy, he was fairly liberal in his politics. But, he didn't let things like politics top him from being a great friend to you. I found myself being influenced by his positions on some things, he could be very persuasive in his emails and his PMs here. I really miss him, something terrible.
I can picture the world famous pose he would strike in each thread that had pics in it, its been posted in the thread somewhere. One arm extended at an upward and forward position, with his hand perfectly straight out. The other postponed with his hand on his hip. Kind of an archer pose, or a Greek god type thing.
"The Man, The Myth, Billydonn."
Bill
I suppose it was because we are from the same area, Southwest Alabama in his case, and Northwest Florida for me. Mobile and Pensacola are pretty much one SMSA as far as the bean counters are concerned. When I joined here he was one of the first to send me a PM, it was about our common home stomping grounds. He found out I didn't use a HR monitor when I ride, so he sent me a Polar set up, complete and ready to go. Kind of amazing that a complete stranger does something so thoughtful.
Donn was not the stereotypical southern guy, he was fairly liberal in his politics. But, he didn't let things like politics top him from being a great friend to you. I found myself being influenced by his positions on some things, he could be very persuasive in his emails and his PMs here. I really miss him, something terrible.
I can picture the world famous pose he would strike in each thread that had pics in it, its been posted in the thread somewhere. One arm extended at an upward and forward position, with his hand perfectly straight out. The other postponed with his hand on his hip. Kind of an archer pose, or a Greek god type thing.
"The Man, The Myth, Billydonn."
Bill
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
04-26-17, 05:50 PM
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It was my pleasure to meet and ride with Don 4 years ago.
Happy Trails.
Happy Trails.
04-26-17, 05:56 PM
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Its still hard to wrap my mind around Donn's passing away, he and I stayed in contact during his battle with brain cancer. Up until the very end he stayed positive, but he also was a very pragmatic person. No kidding himself about the odds being stacked against him, but when he had a rally and images showed the tumor responding to the treatment, even shrinking some, he was enthusiastic.
I suppose it was because we are from the same area, Southwest Alabama in his case, and Northwest Florida for me. Mobile and Pensacola are pretty much one SMSA as far as the bean counters are concerned. When I joined here he was one of the first to send me a PM, it was about our common home stomping grounds. He found out I didn't use a HR monitor when I ride, so he sent me a Polar set up, complete and ready to go. Kind of amazing that a complete stranger does something so thoughtful.
Donn was not the stereotypical southern guy, he was fairly liberal in his politics. But, he didn't let things like politics top him from being a great friend to you. I found myself being influenced by his positions on some things, he could be very persuasive in his emails and his PMs here. I really miss him, something terrible.
I can picture the world famous pose he would strike in each thread that had pics in it, its been posted in the thread somewhere. One arm extended at an upward and forward position, with his hand perfectly straight out. The other postponed with his hand on his hip. Kind of an archer pose, or a Greek god type thing.
"The Man, The Myth, Billydonn."
Bill
I suppose it was because we are from the same area, Southwest Alabama in his case, and Northwest Florida for me. Mobile and Pensacola are pretty much one SMSA as far as the bean counters are concerned. When I joined here he was one of the first to send me a PM, it was about our common home stomping grounds. He found out I didn't use a HR monitor when I ride, so he sent me a Polar set up, complete and ready to go. Kind of amazing that a complete stranger does something so thoughtful.
Donn was not the stereotypical southern guy, he was fairly liberal in his politics. But, he didn't let things like politics top him from being a great friend to you. I found myself being influenced by his positions on some things, he could be very persuasive in his emails and his PMs here. I really miss him, something terrible.
I can picture the world famous pose he would strike in each thread that had pics in it, its been posted in the thread somewhere. One arm extended at an upward and forward position, with his hand perfectly straight out. The other postponed with his hand on his hip. Kind of an archer pose, or a Greek god type thing.
"The Man, The Myth, Billydonn."
Bill
He was a true gentleman, and I'm glad I got to know him, if only a little.
