[Mark Copeland]

Hello Everyone!!

I flew down to Houston last Wednesday and attended the internment of our friend and mentor, William Hess.

The ceremony was nicely attended by family and friends and the rain held off for the outside gathering for just a few minutes, so we could pay proper tribute to a great American patriot.

Bill's ashes were deposited inside of a special urn and enclosed inside of a beautiful wooden box with a P-51 Mustang on the outside. Very fitting.

A few ashes were saved by the family and will be scattered sometime in the near future when they will spread over a special spot as they are dropped waist position of a B-17G Flying Fortress. Bill's old office. He requested this as one of his very last wishes.

Bill took me under his wing back in the mid-'90s. Not only was he a supportive and golden friend, he also was an great inspiration, a mentor, a teacher and a true gentleman to the core.

I loved him very much and I will miss our chats.

Bill had a nickname for me, "Gypsy," because I travelled so much and tried to attend every reunion I could possible make of specific Fighter Groups and Bomber Groups, especially Eighth Air Force organizations.

Last Wednesday, I felt that the "Gypsy" had better go pay tribute to his friend in Houston. I'm so very glad that I did.

For all that read this, I carried your all spirits and heartfelt sympathies to Bill's family. Although I know that you couldn't be there, I profoundly expressed to his family how many thousands of people he touched in his life through his dedicated research, his skilled writing ability and the love he had for helping fellow historians and writers, like myself, reach for the truth and leave a legacy with their life with their research and passion.

Bill made many people smile throughout the world as they enjoyed the dozens of volumes he left to mark his amazing journey. A great life and a great man.

Mark Copeland
Lakeville, Minnesota