Bill Stuart - a sad farewell to a great friend of the Z8 community.

[macfly]

Scott Kuchta at BMW NA, who is Bill's manager, has just written to me to let me know that Bill, who is 80 this year, has just gone on medical leave, and is battling cancer. The doctors have given him three to four months. He is in great spirits all things considered, but this is more of a farewell than a get well.

Thank you everyone who sent notes over, I've included them all within this image, which is being printed and sent now.

[boomster]

Sad news- Bill is a great guy.

[DirkZ8]

Sad news indeed. What a wonderful initiative Andrew ! Thanks.

[Norcal]

Quick note sent via text photo. Thank you Andrew, Bill was the best thing BMW ever had! What a stand up guy.

[EDEZ8]

Note to Bill sent via text message too. Thank you Andrew for this thoughtful gesture!

[macfly]

This is now completed, so please don't send me any more notes, the print has gone to press, and they can't be added in now.

[Norcal]

Thank you Andrew. Looks beautiful. Wish there was more we could do.

[DirkZ8]

Thank you Andrew. Looks beautiful. Wish there was more we could do.

I agree Ian. All we can do is to keep on doing the things we like and enjoy them to the fullest.
Take out those cars, drive the hell out of them and then polish back up like they just came out of the showroom.

[F5506m]

Very sad news....Bill was a great guy and always responded to all my inquiries going back to 2001 when we originally bought the Z8.

[macfly]

Print looks lovely, and it's done on the best quality art paper :-)

Thanks everyone!!

[Musta10000]

Thank you Andrew for putting this together!

Well done!!!

[RPChan]

Thank you Andrew!

- - - Updated - - -

Thank you Andrew!

[DanaC]

I heard from a friend of mine at BMW who worked with Bill. Many of us had posted sentiments on a Facebook thread. She printed them and took them with her when she visited him over the weekend and read them to him. She said he was in and out of consciousness but said he did hear her. My understanding from my contacts is that his last round of chemo did not go well. Bill was truly one of the best I worked with over the years and was so vital (as you all know) in helping me to assist many of you in keeping your cars in top condition.

I hope all of you are doing well! I am currently at Infiniti in Santa Clara (next door to Stevens Creek BMW). My commute is now exactly 1 mile and although I still miss BMW, having 2+ hours a day back by not commuting is a real blessing.

Cheers!
Dana

[Norcal]

Good to hear from you Dana. Awesome commute! Check in more often.

[DirkZ8]

..... I am currently at Infiniti in Santa Clara (next door to Stevens Creek BMW). ...... I still miss BMW .....

Dana

Well, go check them out next door!

[thegunguy]

Thanks for organizing, Andrew. Bill was the best.

[macfly]

Great to hear from you Dana, and sorry to hear that Bill is already so far down the slope.

Our print arrived at BMW NA yesterday, and they said that they're going to get it framed and over to him asap, so I am hoping it'll add a little light to these dark days. Cancer took my mum when I was 13, she refused to go to hospital for her last weeks on earth and stayed home till the bitter end, so I had a bedside seat to cancers long cruel descent.

[riverflyer]

Bill, always a kind and helpful man and I am sure this framed print will bring some sunshine. John

[macfly]

I just received this email from Scott at BMW NA.

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Good Morning Andrew,

Bill’s son informed us that he passed away early Sunday morning while sleeping. They are going to have a private family service this week.

We did show the beautiful Z8 portrait to Bill early last week and a tear dropped out of his eye. Thanks again for this gift, which will be kept by his wife Sofia.

Kind regards, Scott



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Thanks for everything Bill, RiP.

Thanks to everyone who got us over a note, at least we were able to let him know how much he was appreciated.

[Norcal]

Sad news. He was a good man. Godspeed Bill.

[Musta10000]

That's really sad. Glad I was able to contribute to the picture. Thanks again, Andrew.

[boomster]

Andrew, thanks for organizing this very thoughtful gesture.

[jmosk]

Bill had been an incredible help for so many of us Z8 owners over the last 16 years. So sad to learn of his passing in February.

[F5506m]

Really sad news and sad day from the BMW Community...He was really a great supporter for the owner's group and will be missed. Thought and prayers for Bill and his family during this time.

[Z8doc]

Very sad indeed. I was traveling during the collection time so I sent an email to BMW executive service to Bill. The said they would forward it along Bill and his family. Bill will be missed but not forgotten. The reason I was traveling at the beginning of February was because of Bill as he was the one responsible for me somehow ending up on the list in order to purchase the //M4 GTS, which I picked up on Feb 3rd at the Performance Center, SC. Between the Z8 and now the M4 GTS, there will not be a day that I drive either than I will not think of Bill. Great guy, great friend and very much an integral part of my ownership experience.

[jawz]

Catching up on the site and just found out about the sad news. Bill was a great supporter of the group and will be sadly missed.

[briandilley]

Absolutely a stand up guy and went beyond the call of duty each time for me. Bill I greatly appreciate your professionalism over several years and two gorgeous Z8's.

To a job on well done