Bill Douthett: December 12, 1958 - October 4, 2006
So Long My Friend. Bill “DigitalBill” Douthett is seen doing what he does best — commenting on the news of the day from the Press Lounge at Macworld 2005.
Today I lost a dear friend and colleague. I’m still in shock and shaking as I type these words. My world seems so empty without Bill, and he’s left a void that will not soon be replaced. Not seeing him online is eerie, to say the least.
As many will know, Bill “DigitalBill” Douthett was the quirky co-host of the Wizards of Technology podcast. I had the pleasure of being on the show once (twice, perhaps?) and enjoyed the experience. Bill was also a shoulder to lean on and someone to sound off on for advice, especially during the wee hours of the morning — his specialty.
I met Bill several years ago while working with Apple Computer. Bill was employed by MacCenter, Fort Lauderdale’s coolest (and original) Apple Specialists. He did marketing and their web site, among a myriad other talents for which he was known. Due to pressure from Apple’s own retail stores, and some changes in AppleCare, MacCenter closed on 28 February, 2005. It was a sad time for my friends there. But they, like Bill, were strong, and moved on. Some ended up with Apple, others have started their own ventures. Bill found his in the form of a podcast.
The greatest shock of all, and that which weighs on me most as I type, is that I was on the phone will Bill just before he went to sleep this morning. It was around 2:30am MST (4:30am EST) and he said he needed to get to bed. We had finished our discourse, and I was armed with the advice I needed on a ‘relationship issue’. How could I have realized that when I said “goodbye” to him last night that it would be the last? Based on the chronology of events I’ve come to know, it’s likely I was the last voice he heard before he departed this world. That fact still chokes me up.
I am making plans to attend whatever memorial service may be held to celebrate his life and all of his achievements.
Bill — you will be sorely missed, never forgotten and your spirit will live on. Godspeed my friend. Godspeed.
NOTE: Please feel free to use the comments to leave messages of condolence. I will do my best to pass these on to Digital Bill’s Family.
Jaron, my goodbyes go out to Bill. I met him once in my many macworld travels and listened to his podcast. This is the first news of this I hope t his is not the only post of this news. He was a great guy and yea he was always online.
Hi Jaron,
I heard of this terrible news last night at 10:30 pm. Snaggy and I were very upset to find out. He was our friend, and was always there for us whenever we needed help. This is crazy! He was a real sweetheart, I’m going to miss him very much.
You’re very lucky to be the last person to have talked to him. That is such an honor. You never can fathom any conversation being the last with those you love. My heart goes out to you and please keep us posted about his memorial. And please give his family Snaggy and I’s condolences and deep sympathy.
Hi Jaron, I’m Molly Douthett, Bill’s sister-in-law. I am so glad that you were the last one to speak with him; I think being a source of information and advice is what Bill came into this world to do. I wrote over at Joy of Tech that my experience of Bill is that he was one of the least judmental people I knew. He never inserted himself in your issues, he always listened, he made efforts to understand your point of view and if he didn’t get it he just didn’t get it — no making you feel stupid for not orbiting in the same circle. He really understood that people are people. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts, it makes our grief so much lighter.
Blessings,
Molly
We only knew Bill (Biff) as a child, from birth, until he was a young man. Our memories are of our families getting together, for Christmas Eve, picnics in the summer etc. etc.
We grieve for his family and friends, his life was much too short, what a shock for us all.