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Remembering our friend, "Digital Bill" Douthett

A year ago we received the sad news that our friend, brother, son, and co-host of the "Wizards of Technology" podcast, William "Digital Bill" Douthett passed away. The Wizards of Technology have been silent.

Today, in a fashion in which Digital Bill may have liked to have been remembered, we happily celebrate his life, his many achievements, and his capacity to reach out and help others in need, either personally or digitally.

His passing revealed the true magnitude of how many lives he touched. With a noble heart, he left a legacy that few will ever achieve, which serves to remind us what is truly important in life. The impression he made on all of us will hopefully remain intact in the actions we take every day, as we too reach out to others.

I encourage you to share an anecdote or reflection about Bill, that means something to you, or may be significant to others. Feel free to pass on this request to all that knew him. This page and your anecdotes will remain as a tribute section to Bill in its own section of the Wizards of Technology in the future.

Best regards,

Marc "Mister Marc" Asturias

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Sun, 10/05/2008 - 04:42 — Double D

Digital Bill Day

It's two years, now, so let me invite you to remember Digital Bill with me today.

How can you celebrate DB Day?

  • Wear a kilt or sleeveless t-shirt, or both
  • Eat no carbs
  • Watch an episode of Buffy or Firefly
  • Play some WoW
  • Help a friend

    • Try one or more, or come up with something else creative -- that works, too!

    Stay subscribed, and have a cool day!
    --D2--

    "Love is the non-possessive delight in the particularities of the other." -- Dr. James E. Loder

    Fri, 02/29/2008 - 03:44 — Nethin (not verified)

    A Hero of Legend, Rhommie.

    I saw your face in the morning sun
    oh, I thought you were there
    I heard your voice as the wind passed me by
    silently, whispering my name
    So many things that I wanted to say
    forever left untold
    I still remember the tears that you shed
    over someone else
    Our love could never die
    all I can do is cry
    save a little prayer for the fallen one
    There is a light down at memory lane
    slowly fading away
    Still holding on to the dreams torn apart
    I will follow my heart
    Our love could never die
    all I can do is cry
    save a little prayer for the fallen one
    Still on my own, chasing the sun
    of a time long ago
    The shade in my heart, tearing apart
    everything that I long for

    You will be missed, but you will never be forgotten.

    Sat, 10/06/2007 - 23:40 — gabi (not verified)

    Keep holding on.

    I love you. I miss you. Ill remember you always.
    Forever Yours,
    Gabi

    Fri, 10/05/2007 - 20:02 — scw9000

    Dinner Discussions

    I have no tears, just the very fond memories of in-depth discussions about technology and how to make it work and worthwhile in our lives.
    Those nights at Houston's will be missed.
    We'd often talk about how Apple would produce a phone that would blow away the competition - especially when lamenting the "turd-i-ness" of the palm treo sitting in front of us (next to the spinach queso and chips).
    I just wish he could have been here for it... on the other hand, he'd [we'd both] be bitching about the $200 price drop too - and wondering what we could buy with the Apple Store credit - seeing as how we'd have already gotten all the 'must have' accessories under $100.
    Miss ya Bill...
    One last thing - order me a filet, gadget-style - medium-to-rare.

    JediMouse.

    Fri, 10/05/2007 - 09:08 — wizards1

    Digital Bill Memorial Tribute

    Fri, 10/05/2007 - 00:52 — Frank Bisono (not verified)

    Guardian Angels...

    I can't believe it's already been a year. I was just thinking about this the other day and wondering what Bill would be saying to me if he were still around. A year ago I was madly preparing for my interview with Microsoft, something I thought I would never do...transition to working for the Borg! :-) Bill gave me tons of encouragement and confidence and spent many a late night chatting away with me about life in general. I really miss those days.

    It's been an incredibly fast paced year for me with some pretty major changes in my life. Somehow I managed to get through all of this and I can't help but think that I had a little help along the way. I know you're up there Bill...and all I can say is thank you for the little nudges and help when I needed them the most. Nice to know someone is keeping watch over us geeks. ;-)

    Frank

    Thu, 10/04/2007 - 23:32 — Buzz

    My Memories

    I remember meeting this character at MacCenter one day with, at the time, a long ponytail and goatee. His friendly unassuming nature was immediately felt. But then, as many of you know, that was Bill. I observed his style with customers who would come into the store and with each person he was quick to talk with them and guide them into the world of all things Apple. It truly was in his DNA. I remember him having a vivid imagination and a keen wit.

    It's funny how in my brief time in knowing Bill, excuse me Digital Bill, how his presence left an impression on me. It's a further testament of who we was.

    Have fun using the best new technology Bill, we're all jealous!

    --Buzz

    Thu, 10/04/2007 - 22:32 — Snaggy

    Trying to smile through the tears...

    It still seems like a sad, sad dream.

    It was such an honour and privilege to have known Bill, and although today is a sad anniversary, I remember the warmth and kindness and laughter he brought to my life.

    Thanks Bill, you rocked, and I will always miss you.

    Thu, 10/04/2007 - 22:02 — Nitrozac

    I really miss Digital Bill

    That is a lovely memorial tribute to Digital Bill. I really enjoyed seeing him again. This is a very sad day, I really miss DB! It was so nice to have him as a friend, Snaggy and I used to have a great time "visiting" him on video ichat, think about him every day. DB made technology fun and accessable to everybody. He was was one of the first pioneers of podcasting! He was super smart but never made you feel dumb; a rare talent. All I can say is that world isn't the same without him. :'-(

    My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I can't imagine how hard it must be for them. I hope they're ok.

    Thank you so much, Mr. Marc for doing this memorial tribute and all the work you put into. I really appreciate it. It must be tremendously hard for you too. Ok, I'll be sopping up my tears now!
    Nitrozac

    Thu, 10/04/2007 - 20:43 — Anonymous Onlooker

    Keep the samba room reservations...

    Wow, a year. What can I say... I find it difficult whenever I skim past his name in address book, and wonder why I haven't heard from him in awhile. He still is my only friend on skype, but I don't get a call from him. I have to start talking to the eBay folks, and make sure they work on their heavenly connections. He was one of the finest amongst us, we all learned so much from Bill, He had better have the Mojitos mixed for when we all join him...

    We'll see ya then!!

    Jason McHugh aka, snot nosed kid from maccenter

    Thu, 10/04/2007 - 18:15 — Double D

    It doesn't get better, but it does get easier.

    One of the things I inherited from Bill was an Apple Cinema Display. It sat in a corner of the dining room for about 9 months before I finally ordered the adapter I needed to hook it up to one of the other things I inherited from Bill -- the lunch tray PowerBook. Any way, when the adapter arrived I hooked it all up and it was super cool! The first thing I thought was, "Man, I have to call Bill and tell him about this cool geek toy I got!" Um, duh.

    Those moments don't come quite as often now as they did at first, and most nights I don't expect to see DB on iChat any more, but I still miss chatting with him. I still miss him.

    Thanks to everyone who was a friend to Bill and supported the Wizards broadcasting network. Thanks to everyone who supported the family in our loss.

    Stay subscibed, and have a cool day!
    --D2--
    (DB's little bro)

    "Love is the non-possessive delight in the particularities of the other." -- Dr. James E. Loder

    Sat, 10/06/2007 - 06:41 — Barry Parks (not verified)

    Remembering Digital Bill

    Here's how I like to remember Bill:

    Barry

    Thu, 10/04/2007 - 13:17 — wizards1

    It's been a year now

    It's been a year now since Digital Bill went on his merry way. It's been a year of looking over my shoulder expecting to see him there, ready to lend his expertise to our latest project; to hear him pontificate on the days doings; to listen to his thoughts regarding upcoming technology. I know he's there. I just can't see him.

    I know he's grinning from ear to ear as we explore our new iPhones. The iPhone, is, for all practical reasons, what our Digital Bill was all about. It's what he would have referred to as his "pocket rocket"; fulfilling his desires for a Newton that really did the job.

    Yep, it's been a year. But it seems only like minutes ago......

    Love ya, Timber

    Thu, 10/04/2007 - 09:59 — wizards1

    Rock on, Bill!

    For me, this has been a year of reflection, of completing some personal and professional goals, and of putting my priorities in order. In the past year, I read a lot, wrote a book, searched for answers, looked within, and focused on family and career as priorities, in that order. I haven't been able to fill the void left by Bill's absence, but have come to realize that the best way to honor his memories is to learn from life, press forward, and make a difference.

    Our podcast has been silent, on a long hiatus, while I gathered the focus required to push on, with a smile.

    I remember one of the first Web 2.0 conferences to which we were invited by Duke University to speak, focusing on podcasting, new media, and developing a message. We wore matching black mock turtlenecks, and resembled Steve Jobs from the waist up. I wore black dress slacks and Bill wore his trademark kilt. The audience seemed to love our speech. One of the other panelists remarked that Abbott and Costello would have been hard pressed for a better performance. Like Abbott and Costello, in the technology arena and in personal life, Bill and I were ying and yang, left and right brain. We had the ability to complete each others thoughts, which made for a smooth flow on the show, and for interesting times on other endeavors. Bill had a way to make me smile, and he had the same effect on so many other people. I am smiling now, just thinking about him.

    I miss you, buddy! Enjoy the bandwidth and save me a seat!

    Marc "Mister Marc" Asturias

    P.S. Here is WoT Podcast, Issue #1.

    Thu, 10/04/2007 - 12:04 — Anonymous Onlooker

    Still subscribed...

    Hi Bill,
    You don't know me, although maybe now you do, but you are a friend of mine. Even now, as I write this I am holding back tears. Not the wailing in dispair kind of tears, but the kind that sneak up on you as you remember things that used to make you laugh but now are gone.

    When I read the news that you had 'left the building' I was shocked. I was shocked as much, I think by the sudden news as the surprising pain that I felt. The only way I have ever known you was through the WOT podcast. I did not really read the website much, I live in Australia so we never hung out, I never chatted with you online and we never exchanged so much as an email.

    This speaks to two things:

    1) The power and connection of listening to someones voice. It is unlike any other medium, since while i have my headphones on the person that I am listening to is with me and it provides the potential for communication at a more emotional level than words on a page, or even images on a screen. Add to this the time shifting power of podcasting and I could carry my friend with me where ever I went.

    2) The other thing was Bill himself. If it wasn't for his fun loving charm, geeky humor and a way of talking that made him sound like he was always smiling then the fact that i could hear his voice would count for nothing. Thankfully he had all of this and more. He was always excited by what he was talking about. He was a professional amateur or an amateur professional (not sure which or how they are different). I always looked forward to the times that the WOT show would appear on the pod.

    Out of respect, hope and my own private tribute to you Bill, I have resisted the urge to unsubscribe from the show.

    I miss you and thank the other wizards for the respect that they have paid you since you left us.

    Still subscribed...

    --nick coster
    www.nickcoster.com