Photo Credit: BP
The Unraveling of a Billionaire by BP and Victoria
Let us set the stage.
We both had planned a street shoot the other day. The plan was to take a favorite route in the city – Pike Place Market through to Westlake, up and down Pike and Pine St. The light in the beginning of the day was great but by the time we got out to shoot, it had become more overcast. We both didn’t have our Mophie packs and we both started out with less than 100%, with V starting out with a whopping 23%. We monitored the batt levels and did the best we could.
V: If you’ve ever gone on an IG walk with me, you know I generally come unprepared with a low battery and decaffeinated. This day was certainly no different.
B: By the time V hit under 10% it was time to juice up. Note: If V’s phone didn’t need a charge, our story would’ve never happened, so we decided to hit the Starbucks, power up, and catch up.
V: While Brad was off being gentlemanly, purchasing our coffee, I sat at a table next to Bill. He glanced over at me with a warm smile. He complimented me on my chucks and said he wore the same ones when he was a youngster. We laughed about how styles just recycle themselves, but agreed my kicks were classics. I noticed his formal wear and how he seemed out of place in our “Keens and Northface” city, but I appreciated the fact that someone would get dressed in a full suit and go to a local coffee shop to simply work on his computer.
B: Before I sat down I saw Bill next to the table that V had been sitting at. He was real focused on his typing, tapping away at the keys, one finger at a time style. He also had a great hat and was dressed up real dapper like. I opened up ProCamera, focused, set exposure and took a couple shots. Figured I had to catch this scene. Thought this would be the end of it, not knowing that the conversation with Bill would give backstory to the photo. Initially V and I chatted it up and Bill paid no mine to us, nor us to him. At one point, he got up and asked us to watch his laptop and flip phone as he needed to go across the street. We did. We continued to chop it up and again paid no mine when he returned. I cracked a joke that I had used his minutes to call Uruguay (chuckle here, chuckle there) but for the most part that was it.
Meet J. William Oldenburg.
Bill started to pack up his things and on his way out he wished us a blessed day and before he got too far, BP asked him for his name.
“Bill, Bill Oldenburg.”
Little did we know that we was speaking to a billionaire. Well someone who used to be a billionaire.
Bill said, “Have you heard of the movie Sleepless in Seattle?” Of course we did. Tom Hanks. Meg Ryan. The house on Lake Union. “Well I was a part of the production crew of it. As a matter of fact, Tom is supposed to come here in a couple of weeks because we are looking to do another movie, except this time it’ll be based on my life.”
Bill proceeded to return to his seat. He had this sparkle in his eye. It could be that he was thinking, “Hmmm these are going to be easy prey for me to con.” or “Here’s a chance to be able to tell my story.”
His story led from Sleepless to Seattle, to the hat he was wearing. “This hat, this hat was given to me by my close friend, Frank Sinatra.” At first we laughed, thinking he was pulling our leg. But then he continued on with his story in great detail, genuinely and with a tenderness in his voice toward his “friend.” He then mentioned to us that Elizabeth Taylor so loved a necklace he had bought for his wife, and that he allowed a duplicate to be made as long as she promised not to wear it until his wife had first worn hers in public. He told us of a quote that his close friend, Katherine Hepburn had told him, “The most valuable antiques are old friends.” He told us of his big galas and having Wayne Newton sing at these events. He talked of his close friendship to Orson Wells.
Photo from Bill: (L) Orson Wells, (C) Bill Oldenburg, (R) Wayne Newton
He continued on, sharing about how in the early 1980’s he had purchased the USFL LA Express football team with whom they drafted Steve Young before making a deal to send the star to the San Francisco 49ers. He told us about being the only person in the world who was not afraid to challenge Donald Trump, even being quoted in Sports Illustrated as saying, “I’m used to winning, to nothing less than becoming the best,” he told Sports Illustrated. “Donald Trump can get all the press he wants, but when it comes to business, he can’t carry my socks.”
His stories were thoughtful and when he spoke of them he had a “reminiscing” tone about him.
However, it wasn’t just about the stars. He told us stories about his family too. He showed us a photograph of his daughter in her wedding gown, as she had recently been married in Seattle, and spoke highly of the groom. The photo was on his iPhone that his daughter had gifted him, though it was apparent that his flip phone and older laptop were already a challenge for him to use. He showed us quotes he wrote, showed us a paper printout of Lazarus, his dog who had recently passed away. He truly loved his family; four daughters and his wife and “soul mate,” Marla.
Clearly for him his world was big, but was nothing without his daughters and his wife. He went from working at a bank after high school and being a vacuum salesman to a real estate mogul, football team owner worth billions, to losing everything. His story is of rags to riches to rags.
Photo Credit: Victoria
V: It was fascinating to talk to someone who was so charismatic and seemed incredibly genuine. While he was sharing with us, I noticed his suit being nice, but that it desperately needed to be dry-cleaned. I remember trying to sort through that in my head, how could a billionaire’s shirt be anything but stark white and without wrinkles? I brushed it off, remembering he had “just moved into town and was still adjusting to the area,” so maybe he just hadn’t found time to get it taken care of. He mostly spoke to Brad, which I didn’t mind. BP tried to include me in the conversation, but it was very clear who Bill was aiming for. He offered us a photography gig during his next event, asking for our contact information to let us know more. If both of our parking times hadn’t expired, we probably would have sat and listened to his endless supply of star-studded stories and his grand future plans.
As Brad and I walked out of the store, we glanced at each other with somewhat skeptical grins. Had we just randomly met a billionaire who wanted us to stay in contact and possibly shoot for his next grand event? Weirder things have happened. We said our goodbyes and ran off to our cars, praying the parking attendant hadn’t found us yet.
Within several hours BP had already done his research and learned more about our dear friend Bill. He indeed had a fascinating story, though much sadder that the one he had painted for us. . I had mixed feelings about our encounter after I read the countless blogs and testimonies about a “cheat, con artist, liar and theif.” I didn’t want to believe it. He had gained much and lost much. Walking away, I am still glad we got to meet Bill. His story is his own, we all have made poor choices at times, and regardless of his path and mistakes, he is still holding on to a dream. If he does write that autobiography he spoke of, I will buy it in hopes that its a new chapter where he can build a new future, recognizing his past and learning from it.
B: I got so caught up afterwards trying to figure out this story. Is it real? Is it made up? Are we getting conned? We weren’t the only ones who had met Bill and have heard his stories (read the comments). Like V said, I was on fire, googling him and finding this and that. The stories were true of course omitting the federal charges, and lavish spending, and other business not to do’s that LOTS of folks did in the 1980’s. It felt like V and I was in his movie.
Then I realized I forgot about living and enjoying the moment. You know those stolen moments we had with this man. I’ve had many opportunities meeting people in passing. Strangers with amazing stories. Some believable, some not. It didn’t really matter. V and I got to share time with a nice man who wanted to share stories with us. Did he hurt us? No. He simply shared his story.
It made me think how often than not, we forget to sit down and listen (or read). The world we live in moves so fast. What’s news one day, is history the next. What’s trendy one day, is out of style the next. It moves fast. We forget sometimes how these little interactions can teach us a lesson or even better, help us remember the lessons we’ve learned. Now I’m not saying go find your “Bill.” What I am saying though, is remind yourself that every moment should be cherished. Every story you are told will have meaning even if not at that precise moment. Strangers, friends, family members…whomever will enter or leave your life for a reason. This time with V and Bill reminded me of that.
The title of this article is “The Unraveling of a Billionaire.” It’s an actual title from another article on our friend Bill. But the title sounds like the story is finished which like V, I think and hope that it isn’t.
Bill already titled his autobiography which I find is most fitting to end this article: “Not Ready To Land.”
He’s not done yet. He’s not ready to come down to earth. He wants to fly and continue to chase his dreams.
Bill, hats off to you friend.
Be well.
“It’s such a shame to land with so much fuel left in my tanks”
“Life is a miracle, and the right to live is a gift. It is wrapped in a ribbon, woven with dreams, and whether you are very young or very old, life is filled with wonder and surprises.”
“I believe success is the culmination of winning, losing false starts, confusion, and the DETERMINATION to keep going anyway.”
– J. William Oldenburg
*Hint: Fast Forward to 20:00 min to see Bill and hear his keynote*
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Great write-up B & V! I totally enjoyed the mystery of your encounter and visit with Bill.
love this write up, V&BP! What a beautiful encounter you made of such a simple beginning! I appreciate your honesty about your skepticisms as well, friends. Blessings to you (And to Bill)!
Oh wow, you guys this is a beautiful story. I love it. This reminds me of how much I love hearing my grandparents tell stories, over and over, each time one little detail is always off or the timeline is slightly out of sequence. May we all live as long and have fantastic stories to share.
Thanks, B & V
Great read! It’s a good example of “showing up” and also patience to listen to his story. I have a friend from my days in Wisconsin that is also dangerously charasmatic – what a gift!
Brilliant! I could just imagine both of you listening and gathering all these questions in your head.
I do hope he calls you again – what a great story and a part 2 would be awesome!
What a great story. And a timely one too. Not only is the world moving fast, the scroll is moving faster as well.
The speed of the sharing, the amount that is shared, the volume that is shared – people barely pay any heed to the moments that make us take a photo and cherish those moments. It’s more like take a photo, head down, upload via phone. In that time alone, 100 moments have been lost.
People like that who have had life experience are hard to come by. In my city, it is still possible to talk to a stranger and often their stories. They may not be billionaires or ex-billionaires but they would have been through say, a war or two. What do we, with our technological gadgets know?
It was like today at a festival. There was an equal number of people capturing the moment on devices including video as there was people throwing their hands up to dance.
I never thought I would witness so clearly the statement “people spend more time capturing their own lives and what they do than actually living their own lives and being a part of it.”
Great article. Often I read and don’t comment. You got me at “cherish the moment”. Wise words for many. But who has the time to read let alone reply. Much more fun to go take another shot and upload it and share!
Life is so very interesting! Thanks for sharing this slice, V and BP. I spotted Mr J. William Oldenburg last week on Broadway shuffling along in his suit. 🙂
What a fascinating story! isn’t it amazing the people we meet along the way if we take the time to sit and listen?
I have also had the great pleasure of meeting Bill and I believe that he has a gift to make us stop and listen and learn from people. Thank you for sharing that moment and making us reflect on taking the time to listen to others.
We met Bill today, same place where the above photo was taken. He asked us to watch his computer while he bought a banana…they’re cheaper across the street apparently. He was an interesting character and we were happy to talk with him.
Oh boy – I have an almost identical story, but in mine – from over 10 years ago – I was sitting outside eating breakfast in Seattle and he was next to me reading the Sunday paper and writing frantically on yellow legal pads, then throwing the ideas into a ball on the ground – I said, “Ideas just aren’t clicking today huh’? Well, that started what lasted years! I have to say, he said, ‘Do a little research on me, and if you want to work on some projects together, let me know’. At the time, I only had a library to do research in, so I went and looked him up – and found a lot – I have far too many stories to write (or repeat here) but they were all truly interesting and he hasn’t changed it would seem..except now he uses a cell and laptop! When I knew Bill, his kids and my kids were all in elementary school.
When I traveled, I would run into him on airplanes, and in the Polo lounge of the Beverly Hills Hotel of all things – totally out of context. It’s weird really and we always remarked on that. He is something, that is for sure.
Great write up..
Bill Oldenburg used to have a lot of people taking care of his needs, but now he is
on his own. Bill is like a little boy in a candy store that ate a lot of candy and got very sick. Bill is trying to resurrect his life, so when you see him, be kind, and remember there is a little boy in every man, and what he needs is not candy, but real friends.
I’m sitting at the Hard Rock Cafe and just had an hour long conversation with Bill…I had no idea who he was.He’s telling me he owned football teams and Tom Hanks or Dustin Hoffman are up for the part playing his life story..I told him I’m a mobile hot dog vendor here in Seattle and he was fascinated.He asked me many questions about how long I’ve been a vendor and what my plans were…I told him I wanted to start a hot dog diner and he gave me his email to talk about it…..I’m gonna email him….nicest guy ever
I occasionally work at the Visitor Information Center down at Pike Place Market and haven’t the words for how much I absolutely adore Bill. The first time I met him he stopped by, told me a bit of his story, winked his sparky-eyed wink and said, “I’m a man who knows a thing or two about movies, and you’re so beautiful you should be in them.”
Now, every time he walks by me he gives me that winning smile, winks, and says, “Hello Beautiful.” and it twinkles my heart every time.
I don’t care what anybody says about him. Bill is one of our rare Market gems.
I just met him last night too at the Unicon in cap hill. He is very interesting indeed, if not a little confusing…
I’m a retired landscape architect living in the San Francisco Bay Area, Bill & Marla were my clients for 3-1/2 years during the heights of Bill’s wealth and fame, and I was still working with them when everything came crashing down. They had, or as Bill said, they “rented from the bank,” a classic estate in Hillsborough that Marla and I worked on together, pictures of the gorgeous gardens are still on my website. There really were lavish parties, Wayne Newton and Henry Kissinger were there, there was a colorful bodyguard, JJ Rothgery, who keep the peace as the parties wore on, the SF columnist Herb Caen loved the Oldenburgs, there are so many stories to tell of those years. Bill and Marla vanished from my life after that, I only heard stories but never knew anything really about what happened to them. I so enjoyed reading this piece, and seeing that wonderful picture of Bill, thank you for bringing back such wonderful memories. Emery Rogers, Gilroy CA.
Thank you for your story. I happened across it connected to the CNN story this week about Steve Young still collecting on the LA Express contract. That caught my eye as I once had an encounter with a person I believed to be a potential con man that had this same story. I had forgotten his name, but I never forget a face. Sure enough this same man. J.William Oldenburg and an associate of his asked me to a meal in about 1990-92. We went to Anthony’s Homeport in Edmonds and he recanted the same tale. I recall he had a coloring book for children that had some unique properties I would share with anyone wanting to confirm my story. The nature of the meeting was that these fellows needed 10,000 dollars immediately. Of course they did not receive it from me but I did pick up the tab, I’m sure. Very odd and unusually passionate bird, but a truly gifted salesman. They evaporated and I never saw or heard from them again as this was really about a year or two before the internet and his name left me. Until this article I had no real idea if bill had a legitimate story or was full of it. I have not read the negative stories about him and probably won’t. These days I produce and write movies, so Bill if you are out there…we’re interested.
from my meeting with him he is a frequent at Mamas Mexican Kitchen in Belltown, he knew the owners daughter not by name but by coming in frequently
There are many documented stories of unethical business dealings but behind the twinkling eyes is a very unethical people person? I worked for Bill in the 80’s. He was a paradox who took his employees to Vegas to celebrate his birthday one day to terrorizing them by using abusive language, screaming and throwing things at them and threats. Everyone lived in fear of losing their jobs. I resigned soon after experiencing these performances and I’m so thankful that today’s employment laws prevent this kind of treatment in today’s workplace. Back in the 80’s, no one pressed charges but I’ve always felt that karma would prevail and I believe in reading this article on Bill, it has.
Lin – I wonder if we worked in the same office? Did you work with Carol too? Similar experiences.
Lin – 4 1/2 years later, and I found this article together with your comment. I’ve never met Bill in person, but just experienced his dark side via email in what was supposed to have been a benign professional interaction. Pretty scary. As a result, I’ve canceled all future calls/interactions with him. Glad you resigned and got away from him when you did. Your comments appear to still be bang-on point about Bill.
I just met this guy last night. Same scenario, we talked about an hour at the Hard Rock in the Market. Unbelievable stories, and had a great time talking to him. Praying things work out for the rest of his life.
I have had a few meetings with Bill Oldenburg and know people that have been gravely hurt by this dirty rotten scoundrel.
He is a first class con man, from taking a few bucks from people to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from trusting, but gullible people.
He lies all the time.
Bill owes millions of dollars to the IRS and millions of dollars in lawsuits.
This man is at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to ethics.
Googe J. William Oldenburg and get the real truth.
Agreed. Beware of Bill.
Very interesting and fascinating. I also ran into Bill this late evening at Mama ‘s Mexican Kitchen in Belltown..
Sitting next to him he spoke of Sleepless in Seattle and how Tom Hanks would be playing himself in a up and coming movie about his life, I then said ,”nobody better Hanks is a great actor”.
After I got home I googled his name and read everything I had the patience to. Can’t say that I don’t believe he is who he says he is, after all myself wouldn’t be bragging about my life if I screwed that many people…. Found a great article : http://j.mp/18Q06iU
At the end of the day, the sun i going to rise, he seemed like a very well mannered man and if he is who he says he is, I’m sure he realizes everybody he’s hurt. Sharing this story somehow brings him peace, Amen.
I look forward to seeing the movie!!!
LOL there will be no movie. He could care less who he hurt.
Interesting considering he uses all those same stories to entrance people into giving him thousands of dollars in rip off schemes. He was always a good talker. Ask anyone that he siphoned 100 of thousands dollars whose lives he ruined. I don’t feel sorry for him sitting now in small places, telling the same old stories of yesteryear. Karma truly is a bitch.
Sounds like Bill gets around….same story, but was a delightful Sunday morning spent with a stranger, who when we let felt like a friend….you are alright in my book Bill…
I would not count Bill out just yet. Yes he hurt a lot of people but a lot of people Bill knew liked flying close to his flame, and yes many got burned as a result. Bill made many people a lot a money before his operation exploded in part by his greed but also by changes in politics about the time he ran into problems. Check the records, Bill was found not guilty of all charges when the govt. went after him as a poster child example of the excess of the Savings and Loan debacle. Steve Young still gets a million dollar check each year because of Bill. I bet Steve is pissed about that.
I just happen to come across your story. While as a young Santa Clara County, CA (Silicon Valley) developer Bill Oldenburg extended a hand of friendship to me and we stayed in touch for many years, through both his trials and tribulations and mine. I went on to become an divisional Executive Vice President of a famous Wall Street financial services firm and a member of Dow 30 and he one of the founding owners of the USFL and a Billionaire.
Bill is the epitome of the true meaning of an entrepreneur. While there are those that may stand in cynical judgement of this fine man and loving father, all the stories referenced in your article I know to be true. In the words of Cardinal Leon Joseph Suenens: “Happy are the who dream dream and are willing to pay the price to make them come true.”
Unfortunately a great number of people in our society are jealous and envious of those that achieve great success and wealth and many of whom relish the opportunity to spread rumor, lies and innuendo. Let’s also not forget the words of Mark Twain: “A lie travels around the world while the truth is putting on it boots,”
Bill Oldenburg is a good man who, like the famous speech given by Teddy Roosevelt had the courage to stand in the arena by embracing the realty if he failed he did so in a worthy cause: “…Who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall ever be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
thanks for your comment! Glad you stumbled across this.
I know this is an old post, but my friend and I just met Bill in Seattle at Pikes Place. Of course we researched him, and it looks like he has been telling people his story for years. It’s very fascinating to hear, but we are not sure what to make of it. Great article!
Funny. Interesting. We just had a drink or three with Bill at the Pierre in NYC tonight. Much of the same stories
I love the sentiment of your article. If I had met him in a different context, I might have vilified him. Your article shows compassion and a lesson that we can all learn from.
I’ve interacted with this guy many times in my years of working in the market. Now Leonardo is supposed to be playing the part of Bill?!?! Where does he actually live at, Seattle or Nyc? He tried to get one of my ex ladyfriends his card and told her she could stay in his apt. In Nyc, that was 4 years ago. I saw him tonight, and still telling the same story it seems. Nice guy, but I don’t know what to believe anymore with this guy.
This guy will be shoveling the same bunk at God come judgment day, expecting it to be believed. I just read the posts above by people who must be insecure with their own identities and certainly missing a solid moral compass if they think that anything about this guy is interesting, admirable or worthy of note. I worked for the S&L he bought and saw the ruin he caused that swirled around behind him like the aftermath of a Katrina. Like Hitler and many others with the ability to mesmerize those about them nearly to the point of worship, when reality sets in, everyone runs for cover, unable to believe that they were deceived and deceived so easily. One of life’s hard lessons is that there is no such thing as a free lunch, that is, unless your name is Bill………”God, I got it cheap…!”
So…a con man gets rich quick and loses it quick, and we’re supposed to be amazed because he’s got good people skills? Why? That’s the one key trait in all conmen. Just ask Professor Harold Hill’s victims how enchanting his stories are. That doesn’t mean we should buy his band uniforms.
But hey, since life is short and every story we hear was designed by our creator for us to hear, we shouldn’t Google him to find out he’s a conman who hasn’t changed. After all, he makes people feel good about themselves, so let’s all forget that this is exactly what conmen excel at and little else.
Sure, America is full of innocent people who never had a chance, yet can’t get anyone to listen to their stories, but let’s all praise a conman who could have had everything but blew it.
Just met Bill at the Boat show, similiar story, very sincere and a pleasure to talk with.
I ran into Bill today. He came and sat at the bar of the restaurant I work at. He immediately introduced himself and gave me a card and told me all the same stories listed in this article. He said the is in Seattle for a few months because they are making a movie of his life starring leonardo dicaprio and julia roberts (as his ex-wife). He told me I was beautiful and that I should be in a scene in his movie and to contact him. I thought it was too good to be true and based on everything I’ve read it seems to be! There is no trace of the movie anywhere on the internet and he hasn’t even published the book of his life that the movie would be based on. Nevertheless, I enjoyed talking with such a cute, small, dapper old man.
Miriam, fast forward to May 2018 in the Pikes Peak Market. Same.exact.story! Leo, Julia, movie, here’s my card, you should be in it. The poor man is delusional! Of course I googled his name and part of his story is legit, but unfortunately his record is stuck on repeat and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere! Cute and dapper old man though. He wanted to take a selfie with me.
I met Bill this past Sunday at Pikes Place Market! He was buying flowers and we helped him grab them over the stand and then chatted with him for a few minutes as we were picking our own flowers. As with the other stories, he was a nice older gentleman, dressed in a suit! He was very friendly and commented on how I looked like Christmas because of the red & white in my outfit.
Towards the end he mentioned that they were making a movie about his life and that Leonardo DiCaprio was going to be playing him, and Julia Roberts would be playing his ex-wife. We didn’t think he was serious at first!
Not sure if the movie will happen. He invited us to email him to come and see the premiere when it does air, which you know, would be awesome if that could happen. But it doesn’t seem to be in shooting yet, so who knows if it will happen!
Regardless, we had a great interaction with him. He was friendly & courteous and a pleasure to talk to! I wish him well and hope that his life is better than before, and that his “struggles” (if you will) have brought a change to his lifestyle. It was a fun exchange I hope others get the chance to interact!
March 23, 2018.
JWO discovered me in Pike Place Market last Friday.
I had a sense of fascination with this small man and his huge stories at first, but a budding sense of dread encroached upon my senses the longer we talked… And the closer he edged, dropping his voice bit by bit to focus my attention and draw me in. By the end of the conversation, his gesticulating hands were inches away from my body, and I turned a shoulder to him, using body language to indicate his proximity was unwelcome. Keenly aware of that social cue, he stepped back. At our parting, he gave me his card, which advertises a multi-sensory entertainment company. A quick Googling revealed his history of legal deals, a weird website, his habit of approaching people in public, often couples or single women.
Maybe he was wearing Sinatra’s hat… Maybe it’s from a thrift store. It doesn’t matter.
I can’t verify the feeling, and hope that I’m wrong, but by instinct tells me that this man reeks of ill intention.
http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/blueberry-story.html
http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/j-william-oldenburg
My daughter and I met Bill at Pikes Place Market during our recent trip across America by train. Our paths crossed as he & I went to put money in the brass piggy bank at the same time! He introduced himself and shared with us many of the stories others have told here. We found him both very interesting and charming. I gave him a hug, and he posed for a picture with us. It was one of the highlights of our trip!
I’m sorry for those who have had less fortunate experiences with Bill, but it is important to remember that no one is perfect. I think the goal is to learn from past mistakes which is why wisdom often comes with age…and with true wisdom, comes humility. Bill was passing out quarters for children at the market to put in the pig. He shared a smile with all those around him. He emits the feeling that life is good and anything is possible! I don’t know about you, but I think we need more of that in this world!!!
Met Bill this evening. Didn’t know what to think. This article gives me perspective.
Great guy!
Wow- this 2013 article came up during a Google search after meeting Bill today.
I first saw Charming Bill In the garden above Pike Market. I thought, “look at that character in the suit & red sneakers.”
Later in the day he approached my daughter and me with a,
“hello beautiful” and the rest of his story matches all others, with the updated Leo & Julia version.
The book, the movie, the website, email me for updates, and I have a part for your beautiful daughter… 20 minutes of a fascinating story. My daughter & I have been talking about it for hours. It will be a great Seattle memory
Wow, here we are on October 22nd and have experienced a similar encounter, just outside the garden. My wife and I were approached by Bill who went through his lines pretty much as described above over the years. Said he was staying at the adjacent senior center and that his daughter and sons live in the area. Also that his daughter graduated from Santa Clara as we added ours did as well. That all came up because Bill was curious about my SJSU cap.
I backgrounded Bill and much of his story is true.
Like all of us, we have a story to tell, Bill is no different.
Wouldn’t it be interesting if this myriad of encounters became the very basis of Bill’s true journey to the book and movie that he, even if they are only a dream, so desperately seeks.
Bob and Barbara C., San Jose, Ca.
Beautiful write up and attitude. My son just had a similar experience at PPM. in doing the research for him as he comes home on the ferry.
I live in Upstate NY near Watertown. Apparently, Bill is from this area. Well, I received a phone call at 10:30 PM and of course I rush to answer thinking something is wrong. Nope, it was just a very friendly older gentleman who went on to tell me his story. Bill called from Seattle as he is “doing research” for his movie from his time living here as a young boy. I told him he had the wrong number, but that didn’t stop him from telling me about the website, and the book, and the football team, and Steve Young, and Donald Trump, and the movie, and Leonardo DiCaprio, and Julia Roberts, and Clint Eastwood, and The Three Monkeys, and Seattle and San Diego……I thought it was fascinating! What are the chances?! So anyways, I Googled him to make sure the story fit (well actually, he insisted I check out the website while he was still on the phone and let him know what I thought) and lo and behold, here I am. Interesting to say the least!
Wow. I. Am. Speechless. I met Bill today at DeLaurenti, my experience is almost word for words as close to yours. I was astonished and felt that I met someone incredibly rare and unique. He changed my day today and we instantly became friends. I too was like what?! No way. Sometimes we overlook people and we tend to be on our cell phones so much that genuine conversation doesn’t happen.