My dad always worked on paperwork with Mabel.  When I was 5 or 6 years old, he took me with him.  While they worked, I watched NASCAR races on TV with Bill.  Because we were both shy, we didn’t talk, but we sure enjoyed the races.  Bill gave me a small model race car.  It was our special NASCAR Bond.
 
When I was older, Bill became sick and began to fall.  My dad would come and help Mabel pick Bill up.  I always came to see Bill.
 
One day, my parents were talking about a private viewing my dad was going to, because Bill had died.  I told my parents I had to see Bill.  When they asked why, I told them about the model car I still had and showed it to them.
 
I was able to see Bill and I turned 20 years old, the next week.

Mabel and Bill Hildebrandt at the Jacksonville Tax Forum August 14, 2019.

I ran into Mabel during the Tax Forum and Bill came with her. He did not know  was attending so I was able to surprise him and stopped by their hotel for a visit.

Gwen Garren

Michael and Bonnie Grant’s  50th wedding anniversary in Monticello, Ga with Colleen Newman, Kurt Bensworth, Rebecca Grant, Steve Newman and Bill Hildebrandt.

June 22, 2013

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” -Flavia

Bill, you made our lives better. You challenged us, you encouraged us and you provided the canvas for us to create and build a wonderful work community. Thank you for being an inclusive and caring manager, colleague and most of all a dear friend. With your encouragement and trust, we were able to move mountains. I will never forget you and the happiness you brought  by just being you!!

I didn't even realize no birds were chirping until they arrived. I was too busy to notice! When I hear them now (in VA), I always think of Mabel & Bill. XO

This is a photo Mabel took when they visited Guam. I lived there for 7 years, and Bill & Mabel were my only visitors. I have known Mabel for over 40 years. They made each other smile and laugh - I was so happy to see it.

Bill was a very special person.  He was smart, caring, hard working, dependable and kind.  I enjoyed our time working together but our staff also spent time together going to Capital’s and Bowie Bay Sox games, playing golf on occasion, walking to the Jefferson Memorial to see the cherry blossoms and even taking a raft trip down the Youghiogheny River.  Luckily Bill found his perfect mate in Mabel and they built a life full of many adventures including world travel and a love of birding.  Bill was devoted to Mabel and her care of him is an indication of her devotion to him as well.  We will miss Bill but take comfort that he’s at peace.    Our love and deepest condolences to Mabel.  Love, Melanie and Tom Roley

Bill is much missed every time we talk and share new pins, and the adventures him and Mabel used to share from und the world.

Mabel was a customer for our Hard Rock pins with birds and sometimes fans. We've been friends ever since

We met Bill at the Peppermill in Vegas, him and Mabel were so kind and invited us lunch, and snacks for our roadtrip

Fun times at my fav Tex-Mex restaurant with Bill and Mabel near San Antonio. I remember being impressed by Bill’s great knowledge of birds- we would hear birds singing or tweeting and  he let us know what kind of bird it was. Now when I watch the birds come and go in my yard- I remember the names of the birds as told by Bill. I learned so much about birds from Bill.  I also remember driving with Bill and Mabel from Austin to San Antonio and  stopping to look and listen for the “Golden Cheek Warbler.”  I don’t know if he ever found that bird but I am sure to look for it whenever I get the chance.

I met Bill early in my career and worked closely with him until the day he retired. It wasn’t until Mabel and I became colleagues that I learned they were a couple—the legendary photo of them on their Harleys said it all.
Over the next 20 years, Bill became far more than a colleague; he was a teacher and a dear friend to both Jenn and me. He shared his passion for birding with us, taking us under his well-seasoned and patient wings. We had the joy of traveling with Bill and Mabel to incredible places—Puerto Rico, Sedona, the Florida Keys, Grand Canyon, and the canyons of Zion and Arches.
Our lives are truly better because of Bill. While we miss him deeply, we take comfort in knowing that he and Mabel traveled the world together, experiencing the most stunning environments and birds this planet has to offer. Thank you, Bill, for the friendship and memories we will always cherish.

Memories of Bill


Bill, his sister and his parents moved in across the street from me in 1952 or 3.

This was in the community of Lochaern, Baltimore County, Maryland. All the men in the neighborhood had served in WWII and the received lower priced homes. Heavy stories.


Bill went to Campfield Elementary, Sudbrook Junior High, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and John’s Hopkins University where he majored in Electrical Engineering.


I’m listing some things that his friends would like to remember and laugh.

As George Volkman remembered playing baseball, softball and football almost every day at the church lot down the street. George never mastered the two fingered splitter pitch but he was a great pitcher at the Naval Academy and became the Captain on a nuclear Submarine.


The lot was covered with gravel and especially with football at least one boy went home with gravel embedded in his hands, knees, or elbows. You had to slide and not turn quickly. A lot of blood and with the knees and elbows they took weeks to heal because of bending and opening the scabs.


Walking on Liberty road to Price’s Dairy or Toots Bargers duckpin bowling alley. In the winter all the cars had chains on their tires when snowing and as Liberty Road was cleared first many times the chains would fly off around us because of dry pavement.


Walking to Sudbrook Jr. High through the abandoned Nike Rocket Base, one of hundreds protecting DC and other important places.


Walking to Gwynn Oak Amusement Park to ride the gasoline motor boats and shoot the .22 short rifles with the sights purposely not accurate, so as to not win a prize.


They were building the Baltimore Beltway and we would race cars on the unopened sections.


Going to the Drive-In restaurants: Ameches and Champs and movies. At least once a week someone would drive off with the speaker attached at a movie and break their drivers side window.


Don’t know how Bills mother’s car muffler survived all the times we made it backfire

So sorry for your loss, Mabel.  Bill and I shared an office for a year or two along with John Cavan and Fred Gasper.  Bill was a ..good place to go for help with a problem.  He always had a great sense of humor and that made him a pleasure to work with. I know he will be missed

Mabel, my condolences to you. It was sad to hear of Bill’s passing. I last saw Bill and met you at my sister’s house in Ellicott City in 2004 after Kimmy and I married in Nov 2003. My memories of Bill include walking a mile or more on North Avenue in Baltimore to go to high school in the morning and almost daily football or softball games after school on the church gravel parking lot in Lochearn where we all lived. Take care, George Volkman, Seattle, WA

Whale watching w/ Tom, Lisa, Bill & Mabel. San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja.

Hanging out with Lute the cat in San Diego

Bill and Mabel's trip to Niagra Falls 2001

Bird watching and touring at our home in Barcelona Spain.

Fun trip to a farmhouse in Tarragona Spain to enjoy special spring Calcots lunch.

We had the pleasure of meeting Bill many, many years ago. He was such a wonderful person to be around and could teach us so many things. We did not meet as many times as we should, but every time we met was special. Tadashi and I have great memories to share, there is one in particular we always talk about,  I had no idea that one day I would go to an airport, not to travel, but to look  for a bird!! That was a very interesting and fun day, besides many others.
Bill, you will always be in our hearts.
Valeriane and Tadashi

Good times while we could share our lives in the short time we have known you Bill.  Always remembering those looks you gave me when Tom would ask repeated  questions, “like yeah I know… Tom asked that same thing again..!”  You are missed!

Bill, you’ve been a treasure to many of us around you!  The many smiles, the laughs and good heart you showed will be in our memories and hearts.  Tom misses his meal service buddy!

Mabel took me and bill to dinner and a drive in Miami

Italian dinner in Miami Rachel bill mabel

I told him time for therapy he said no lol

I will cherish are friendship I enjoyed being your private home nurse you and Mabel will always be a part of my life I promise to watch over your wife she was the best she truely loved you you will be missed bill rest in paradise my friend

While no birds were featured in the Smithsonian Coral Reef exhibit of 2010, I always delighted in hearing updates from Bill and Mabel's worldwide birding adventures. Everyone at the Nest enjoyed learning about rare species of birds, and we even attempted to knit some birds!

Bill and Mabel's love of the ocean included a love of sushi! And their favorite restaurant was right next door to the Knitters Nest. I shared many a wonderful meal and fellowship with them there. Honestly, Bill and Mabel made friends everywhere they went & were treated like royalty by the entire J&Y staff, especially the owner, Danny. For years afterwards, Bill and Mabel's presence lingered & I continued to enjoy the benefits of their friendship.

This bleached section of the reef shows the unexpected dangers that lurk even in beautiful places. Bill always made sure that I had a ride home from the Nest, even if I missed my bus. 

The more fruitful, healthy section of the reef reminds me of Bill and Mabel's annual trips back East, where they still put others first--how they ever fit their luggage into a car crammed with boxes and bushes of fresh blueberries to bring back to the Nesters, we'll never know!

Back in Eldersburg, MD, Bill would accompany Mabel to her favorite yarn shop, The Knitters Nest. We all got involved in a project to raise awareness about the plight of coral reefs around the world. Some crocheted hyperbolic designs with trash, like Myler balloons and cassette tapes; some with fancy art yarns; and some with pure whites to represent bleached reefs. Bill supported Mabel in all her creative endeavors.

Bill was Mabel's wing man. They had so many fantastic trips together. I do remember that I was in DC on a business trip and my husband was with me. Bill and my husband played name that tune on the ride back into DC. 
And the Harley's and the souvenir shot glasses as memories of all of Bill and Mabel's trips.  

Bill, you will be missed.

Audie

Bill was a faithful provider of medical equipment to those in need, showing up with a willingness to help and a quiet dedication to others. I knew him as a kind and considerate person whose actions spoke louder than words. He made a real difference in people’s lives.

I am a better person for having known him, and I will always be grateful for the example he set. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Bill, Mabel and I had the privilege of helping in the rebuilding of New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. I remember doing mostly painting but having fun doing it for a good cause. It wasn't all work. In our time off we were able to go to dinner in New Orleans and see some sights. I am greatful to have gone with such warm and welcoming friends. Bill was a man of few words but he surely loved Mabel. My condolences to Mabel and his family.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mabel and Bill when they booked on a birding tour with me in Tasmania in 2012. We had a lovely three days of birding at and around my home on Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia and then stayed in touch. Mabel and Bill kindly accompanied me to four successive American Birding Expos in Ohio and Philadelphia where they helped me on my stand. I have very fond memories of those times and our great talks with lots of laughs. Although quite reserved, Bill’s intelligence shone through, and his birding knowledge was incredible. He was a great man and will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to Mabel whose love and determination no doubt added greatly to his quality of life in Bill’s final years. Love to you both my dear friends. Tonia. Inala Nature Tours, Australia.

I first met Bill and Mabel on a birding tour in Colorado in April 2008 – we were doing the Chicken Run together.   We instantly hit it off and I was so very fortunate in being able to later catch up with “Mabill” on my home turf in Sydney, Australia.  "Mabill" being such an appropriate term to describe two like-minded peas from one pod – clearly destiny was on both their sides some 28 years ago. 

Later we caught up in the U.S on Mabill’s home turf in May 2019 and then Texas April 2024 for the solar eclipse.  Always we were able to carry on our conversations where they had left off.   Bill spoilt me in 2019 by taking me to Henderson poo ponds – knowing exactly what a fellow birder would want to do when in a new city.   Here I not only saw my lifer Least Bittern, but I was able to share the moment with Mabill – which makes the memory even sweeter.

For the Solar eclipse, Bill’s illness meant that we could not be together on the actual day.  But that didn’t stop us sharing the moment virtually, and having a lunch all together again on the day prior.   I can clearly picture Bill’s beaming smile from their balcony as I drove away.   Bill always had this wicked smile that signalled happiness and happy memories of good times had – and I shall cherish these memories of Bill. 

How wonderful that Bill was able to be comforted by the love of his life at the end. I have no doubt that he would have been very aware, and with the familiarity of Mabel’s love and touch, he (or anyone) could not have wished for anything more. 

Bill certainly did live a full life travelling the world birding with his best mate, Mabel – for which I am honoured that I got to witness, and be part of, on several occasions.   And I was always welcomed like family.  Happy days they were.  

Long live the memory of my dear friend Bill

Sharing the Texas 2024 Solar Eclipse together virtually

I didn't know Bill long but for the time I did know him, he was a kind soul. He wasn't a talkative man but when he did speak, it was because he had something to say.  Bill touch many people in many ways. He got to spend 28 years with the love of life, Mabel. He will be greatly missed. 
Kim Lobaugh

Dear Bill-
I hope you knew how important you were to me and how happy I am to have known you.  You always believed in me and helped me to believe in myself.  You taught me that leaders were people who deeply cared for their employees and showed me that compassion and empathy were fundamental leadership qualities.  You appreciated my sense of humor (which many don’t get 😊) and we shared a lot of laughter and great times.  You had a wonderful sense of humor.  I will always look back fondly at all of the memories I have of the time we worked together and of the team that you built. You fought for the people that you cared about and for that I will always be grateful. Goodbye my bird watching, Harley riding, Polar Bear friend.  The world was a better place with you in it.

I hope you are enjoying your time in heaven and I hope we meet again there someday.

Colleen Newman

Bill moved through the world quietly, with an uncommon intelligence and a gentleness.  A devoted birder and seasoned world traveler,  he and Mable wove the search for birds into a lifetime of shared adventure  which they willingly and joyously shared with others. 

Among my clearest memories of him is a morning at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul when they visited me.  We were walking in the palace gardens when a small parrot appeared in the branches, a species they hadn't captured before.   In an instant, all the grandeur of Topkapi receded.  They were so delighted to see this bird.

I have known  Mabel longest and best over the years from our work together, but came to appreciate this man of few words.  His wife's devotion through his illness was the fullest expression of love for each other.  I felt honored to have been able to interact with them over the years and to better understand the amazing and loving relationship they shared.

I will best recall Bill watching a small parrot with his chosen lifelong companion - both of them being animated with this discovery and enjoying life to the fullest.

We enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Bensworth's. I'm so blessed to have been a member of this great team.

I will miss you Bill. I have fond memories of hearing all about your travels. I always enjoyed looking at pictures with you and Mabel. We took this photo I. The summer of 2014 during one of your visits to Maryland. Both of you will always be in my heart

We met Bill and Mabel on a birding trip and it was the beginning of a friendship.   His birding knowledge and skills were enviable.   He will be missed.

Off to 5 weeks in Africa back in 2014.   Love that smile.

When I think of Bill, I think of a kind, gentle man who loved birding, travel, and, most of all, Mabel. The deep love the two of them had for each other was truly inspirational. 
Rest in peace, Bill.

Bill was a man of God. Always calm in the height of adversity. His greatest strength was his intelligence relying on Gods presences. His kindness was beyond measure. 
    Oh, how he loved bird watching. He could tell you what kind of bird species it was by just listening to the bird’s singing. His passion for the sport was obvious and never boastful.    
    He accomplished much in his life. Bill had every right to be prideful and arrogant, but he was not. His character and inner man would not allow himself to entertain such thoughts. In being so, people gravitated towards him wanting to be near and like him. 
   For us that are left behind, he will truly be missed. I send you blessings my brother in Christ and to your lovely wife Mabel. May God bless you both. Love always Kurt and Sandra.

One of our many visits. Great stories of worldly travels, reminiscing of the old neighborhoods . Always a pleasure with Bill and his quiet demeanor and kindness.

More recent visit. Lots of memories of great meals together. Many stories were told . 
Will miss these.  Peace 
John and Len

I’ll miss Bill.  He was truly a great man!!  He loved traveling and loved birding, but most of all, he truly loved his Mabel.  Rest in peace Bill.

Rest in peace sweet Bill. One of the last times I saw you and Mabel at your home in Maryland you were driving off to your new life in Nevada. In your retirement you travelled the world with your loving wife, Mabel. You had many exciting adventures together, seeing many exotic places that few of us get to experience. Our last meeting together was at Hunan Manor, when you two came to town. It seems like yesterday. I miss you and I know you are looking down from above watching over us now.  I send my sincere condolences and sympathy to Mabel whose has lost her loving and willing companion.  I am lucky to have known you, so until we meet again I am forever your friend.  Love, Nancy

Heartfelt condolences Mabel..  Mike and I loved our meals with the 4 of us..at our house, the Codfather and  here’s one at the fish market!  So much love in the air!!

OBITUARY

William Hancock Hildebrandt

June 19, 1946 – March 15, 2026

Palm Downtown Mortuary & Cemetery

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