The Passing of a Gentle Giant

On Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006, Bill Eatmon, beloved friend and partner to Stephen Rouse of "Sheltering Pines Shetlands" passed from this world. He will be deeply missed. My heart is breaking for Stephen and Bill's family. Please send any and all positive thoughts, prayers, dpn waving, whatever you believe in, to help them through this, most difficult, time.

I didn't know Bill well. But he was a big, gentle, kind and funny man. One of my fondest memories is of the time, last year, when I was purchasing a ewe lamb from Stephen. Bill was (as always!) urging Stephen to sell more sheep. He even offered me an incredible (read: ridiculously low price!) on a gorgeous ewe lamb that I would have loved to bring home. Unfortunately, Stephen was not quite so generous and informed me (and Bill) that he was keeping that ewe lamb. I got an e-mail shortly there-after saying that Stephen and Bill had discussed it and Bill, being a reasonable man, agreed that my little "Caramella" would stay on at Sheltering Pines. I still felt an alliance with Bill ;-)

I'm sorry that I did not make the trip to MFF, last week, to have a chance to say my final good bye to Bill. And to give Stephen a hug. I want to see the beautiful pond that Bill built around the wool-house/studio on their property. Then again, I'm not very good at final good-byes...