"Bill, since you left, the world continues to go to hell in a handbasket."  And I can imagine his reply: "Hey!  it's not ALL my fault!"  And I would say, "No, of course it isn't.  But it would be a lot more "tolable" if you were still here.  "When ya comin' back, Bill?   When ya comin' back?"

Someone showed me a photo today that I took in the eighties of Bill with Ann Richards and I was sad to learn that Bill passed on. I bumped into him quite a bit, and recall him as a very easy-going and good-natured fellow, and not exactly camera-shy so I have several photos of him. I liked a couple enough to post on social media, and I'm sharing here in hope that my memories of the joy and peace Bill brought into other people's lives will ease your grief. I saw him inspire a lot of laughter, and he made me feel valued.

I recently found a old video of Easter in the 80's. Bill is wearing his "Barber shop quartet" hat and smiling big. He was so sweet and charming, I didn't hear he had passed until after the funeral and I will miss the big guy. I thought I would share this in case it would help someone to see the DVD. I'm not on Facebook, but Guillaume Smith also has a copy. ✌️❤️

Wednesday, 9/15. I just found out. I'm deeply, deeply hurting right now. 

Something told me he'd pull through, because ... how could he not? This is BILL HEAD we're talking about! How could the world spin on without Bill? 

So many of you knew Bill better than I did. But even with far too little time spent together, he was a great friend. I will miss him so. I will miss him, very much.

I first met Bill in the sixties when I asked him to see if he could find my sister who had disappeared in Mexico with her latest boyfriend and hadn't been heard from in a long time..we were worried.  All I knew was that she said she was going to Mexico. He found her. We were friends from then on. I sold real estate with Bill when one of his many careers was being a realtor.  There are lots of stories, but my favorite was this.  When I had My daughter I was in the hospital and Shelley was about 4 hours old..Bill came to see me.  The hospital told him that he couldn't come to my room unless he was family.  "Well," said Bill, "I may not be family but I'm the father of the child!"  They let him it. 


Dear Patricia,
You are in our thoughts and prayers over your loss of your
larger than life Bill.   We are so glad that we have had touchpoints
with you two over the years.  We could always count on an
interesting conversation with you two.  John and I so enjoyed all
of the stories shared at his "going home" service, which was so Bill.
Blessings from Kay and John Braziel

My condolences to Patricia and all of Bill's family on what must be a grievous loss. With his outsized personality, his dogged optimism and his unmistakable joie de vivre Bill represented a one-of-a-kind personality, something which a changing Austin has only made more apparent. Like so many I first met Bill in a pub but thereafter spent much time at his house, at others houses and even in his plane. The latter several times after leaving sixth street in the wee hours of the early morning. After nearly a decade of regular interaction I lost track of Bill, but he never lost track of me. Every so often calls would be received, then emails and texts to inquire about my well being and to alert me to the current standing of the myriad friends that we shared. What were just memories of yesteryear to me were still very current relationships to Bill, because once known to Bill was to be always appreciated by him. Outside of politicians - bad suss to them - I can hardly remember Bill ever uttering a bad word regarding anyone, most especially a friend. One of a kind is a phrase so hackneyed as to be almost devoid of true meaning - but in Bill's case its all I have. In honor of the so many musical evenings we spent together I offer the following from Fairport Convention's anthem "Meet on the Ledge" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avX5VlU7MXM ):

"We used to say that come the day
We'd all be making songs
Or finding better words
These ideas never lasted long

The way is up along the road
The air is growing thin
Too many friends who tried
Blown off this mountain with the wind

Meet on the ledge, we're gonna meet on the ledge
When my time is up I'll see all my friends
Meet on the ledge, we're gonna meet on the ledge
If you really mean it, it all comes round again"

Eamonn Healy

I would like to offer my condolences to Patricia and Bill’s relatives on his very sad passing. Bill was a great friend with whom I chatted probably once a month for the last 35 years! I knew he was not well and actually spoke to him a few weeks ago when he was in poor shape. 
I met Bill in Maggie Mae’s pub in April 1979 when I first arrived in Austin for my post-doc. He was a great Hibernophile and we had great times together. He did tell a lot of stories and could well have been of Irish ancestry.
He invited all from the pub and half of Austin to St. Patrick’s Day parties in his house, just north of campus if I remember, and called our gathering ‘ the Armadillo-Shamrock Alliance’. He was particularly generous when my apartment burnt down on Dec7th 1979 and my roommate, Michael Cleaver, and I lost everything we owned. The pub threw a fundraiser for us and a Bill got us a whole new wardrobe from a friend of his in the clothing business. I will miss him; end of an era.

‘Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis’.
‘May his holy soul sit on the right side of God’.
Cormac G. Kilty, Dublin, Ireland.
+353 (0) 86 2443059



When I married my late husband, as a wedding present Bill gave us a shotgun.  He brought it to our reception wrapped, not inconspicuously since he just taped the wrapping paper around it, in paper with doves carrying a olive branch.  Only Bill would have thought of such a gift and the symbolism of the paper.  I shall miss getting his phone calls which always began, "Norma Sue, this is Bill Head."  He was a great friend and I appreciate all he and Patricia did for me when my late husband had heart surgery.  I will miss his phone calls, ramblings, righteous indignation over political events, and humor.  The photo was taken at Bob Armstrong's ranch and shows Kathy Crowley, Bob, me and Bill.

"Hello cousin Julie, this is your cousin Bill Head!"  That's how he would start his phone calls to me over the years.  He would ask about my husband Mark and then ask about my three boys while intentionally never getting any of their names correct.                               Nevertheless it was a great lead into great conversation.
Cousin Billy did a couple of things for me for which I will be forever thankful. Billy bought me my first guitar. A whopping $17 nylon 6 string from somewhere in south Texas. That thing was so hard to play I was either gonna turn into a guitar player OR ELSE! Since I didn't have a real good plan for OR ELSE, I hung in there with 'that old guitar".   And then a few years later, Billy bought me my first John Denver album.   My life would never be the same.  I eventually upgraded guitars and have an extensive John Denver album collection "within" my extensive album collection!  Billy would be glad to know that "Winken, Blinken and Nod" (this was usually how Billy would refer to my three sons -which is  ok because I didn't get their names right either,)  would each find their own way to a guitar or ukulele or banjo.  They would love bluebonnets and the hill country,  good friends and family.   I've included a picture here with cousin Billy at "Blinken's" Baptism.  I've had the pleasure of visiting Bill and Patricia in their beautiful home.  You have my respect for keeping things at the "heart of Austin, at the Heart of Austin.  Patricia, thank you for being such a wonderful blessing to  Billy.  He genuinely thought you hung the moon. You are in our thoughts and prayers. 
Julie Falke and family

Bill was larger than life. He knew all the movers and shakers of his beloved Austin. Bill would regale us with stories of some of the most interesting personalities. He enjoyed flying Gov Ann Richards around Texas in planes he had access to. He loved to fly and had much experience in this exciting sport. He loved aviation history as well. Bill was gracious and generous with his wine cellar collection and most hospitable at his home with Patricia. He will b missed. 

Patricia,

I am so sorry for your loss. My memory to share is that you all were avid art appreciators and always enjoyed art openings! Always friendly and kind and interested.  He will be missed in the art community.

Bill Head was in real life just as his obituary describes him. I had wonderful conversations with him about  his family history and Austin history. He truly loved our Old Enfield neighborhood and its history. Patricia and Bill did so much to make Old Enfield  better.  Patricia we are so sorry.

Pat,  Ed and I will miss Bill taking his walks to Pease Park during e-Eyeore's Birthday celebrations.  He always stopped by to have snacks and let us know what was going on in the Park.   His parties
were most enjoyable with so many of his friends.

We will miss him.

Peace 

Helen and Ed Ingram

Bill was always warm and generous.  We had many meetings of the Pease Park Conservancy Board at his house and he was a great host.  Always fun, entertaining, and a pleasure to be around.   I am so sorry COVID has kept us from seeing each other.  

My deepest condolences to Patricia and family.

OBITUARY

William Tremaine Head Jr.

March 27, 1944 – August 13, 2021

Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services

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