We met William, Barb and the kids in the early 90’s when they bought the first electric car I ever built. It was a converted early Triumph Spitfire which they drove on the island for a few years. Our first visit to their house was an adventure, […]
Read more →Dear Barb and family, When we read the notice in the DI, we both immediately stopped what we were doing and looked at each other in disbelief. How could such a wonderful, interesting and seriously talented man leave us so early. Always a chuckle and a twinkle […]
Read more →So sad to see you go, William. Your community will miss you but your spirit will live on through your wonderful creativity. Our condolences and warm wishes to all the Van Orden family.
Read more →We had the great privilege of visiting William’s shop years ago with our then-quite-young grandson. Eli would have been maybe four or five. He was fascinated by William’s work and had many many questions. William answered them all with great care. They were two scientists together. Age […]
Read more →I was dropped off by boat to canvass Quadra door-to-door in what must have been the summer of ‘98. At one household I was welcomed into the workshop of a man who surprised me to no end by stopping what he was doing to show me his […]
Read more →I’m sorry to hear about the death of Bill, his memory lives on in the wonderful work.
Read more →I was always inspired by his art work, and his attention to anatomical detail was unmatched. William was a delight to converse with at fisheries conferences and other venues showcasing his wonderful fish replicates. I am a proud owner of his art (a ratfish)! You will be […]
Read more →In early 2019 I learned about William’s work through The Marine Detective. At the time I was an Environmental Educator at SEA Discovery Center in Poulsbo, Washington. I contacted William, and for my birthday I bought myself a small sunflower star model. This sunflower star is on […]
Read more →I first met William at his studio on Quadra many years ago. I grew up surrounded by his incredible art work as every one of our family friends owned one of his pieces and I remember it was such an honour to meet him in person. It […]
Read more →My Father and I have known William for many years. Between the two of us we have gathered quite a collection of Bilz artwork from over the years. Some being fish we found for him and many others he already had. Visiting William was always at least […]
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