Posted by Lloyd Prezant on March 24, 2000 at 08:12:00:
In Reply to: Bill Epperhart 1948-2000 posted by Ted David on March 22, 2000 at 07:00:01:
Bill and I worked together at WYNY-FM in the 1980's.
I was fresh out of my 1st job (New Haven, Ct. - 13 WAVZ), and new to network radio.
He gave me my first lesson on honesty - "Never tell the DJ you missed the start button, or pressed the wrong button.
Always say the button didn't work!"
He was always helpful and funny.
Shared anything and everything with a special zeal.
He had a knack of making you feel comfortable when you were around him.
I would sometimes do a late board shift at "The Station You Can Sing To" - (Walter Sabo, phrase author and VP).
Bill would be my relief.
He loved to do overnights.
Didn't need to see those daytime managers.
If I was to be there when Bill came on, it was because I was doing a double.
Dead from 16 hours on the board, Bill would start talking to me - "Ya know Lloyd, I heard something interesting the other day..."
and I was there another hour talking to him.
Always interesting, he was a person I never forgot.
When he left WYNY and came back as a consultant for the Olympics at NBC, it was good to see him.
That was the last time I saw him - circa 1992.
Last night at the wake, I saw some old friends, made some new ones, but the same message came through. Whether it was Bill's passion for computing, or talking, or eating cheesecake, (now that one is a war story!), I came away with the same feeling that he was very special to all of us, and touched us in a way that wont soon be forgotten.
God bless your soul, Bill Epperhart!