Willie and I were classmates at Maisonneuve Elementary School in East Montreal in 1954, and very good pals back then. We hung out a lot and were always goofing with our other amigo, Geoffrey Armstrong. Willie was a hoot then, always ALWAYS something funny to say. He was VERY cool. We both invented a hip expression between us, and would always say to each other..."hey...shoobie-doobie...!"
We again reconnected on the Net around 2005 or so after 50 years and would occasionally reminisce on the phone. I have a great class photo from our school days showing a young Willie at 12 years of age. He was a good kid, kind and humorous, and in his own right, a bad-ass....was greatly respected by the other boys...NOBODY messed with Willie.
I wrote and recorded a song for Willie about his life about seven years ago, but never got around to sending it to him. I wish he could have heard it. I moved to Southern California in 1957, but never forgot my very hip pal from the mid-1950's. I always remembered him over the years, and am saddened by his loss. Love ya, man....shoobie-doobie, my brother....