Big Bill,

I think of you and speak of you often.

Your ageless grit and drive still powers and inspires those you left behind.

To the Money Man.  You get the last shot!

Your friend and teammate Tim

My sincere condolences to Bill's family. 

I haven't seen Bill since the late 60's when Bill was already out of college and a basketball legend. I was a snot-nosed 14 yr-old kid shooting hoops at the Christian school playground,

Bill would shoot around with me after the church softball games and he would  insist that I was allowed to play in the subsequent pick-up games with the "big kids". He always had my back in the games and we would continue to shoot around afterwards and talk until it was too dark to do so.

He was hilariously stubborn. One evening when it was almost too dark to even see the rim, we were told by the local cops that neighbors complained and that we had to leave. Bill insisted there was no reason we should have to leave no matter how dark it was. I thought for sure were were headed to jail.

On another evening I heard my Mom call to me that Bill DeHorn was on his bike at the backdoor wanting to know if I could shoot some hoops. 

It was as if Michael Jordan was asking if you wanted to go shoot around.

Bill taught me a lot and he was incredibly kind to me. When I think of him, I just smile.

God Bless You Bill.

Tom Rusthoven



Big Bill,

The years now pass, but the memory of you stays fresh.  Miss your competitive drive, your great fiery orneriness,  your unmistakable aliveness, and your always lively chatter.   You were one of a kind! 

Very  sad to hear of Bill’s passing. I enjoyed  our chats at the Y and always marveled at his bball skills. When we last spoke he was quite ill but unsurprisingly shooting hoops and making the most of it. My condolences to his family and friends.

Dave Jones

I am a friend of Bill's from Calvin College. Please accept my sympathies for the loss of your husband and sibling. A special person he was. 
In 1971 Bill and Andree were on a camping trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes with a group from Calvin College. I believe that was the only time I met Andree. I took a few pictures that weekend and would be happy to share them with you. I include one of them.
Please contact me so I can share a few more.
Sympathies,
David Kreulen


BILL was MR. MONEY.  

Big Bill was my teammate in a division of the Montreal DJ Sports basketball league.  We were the two oldest players in the division (probably the whole league!) and played against guys thirty plus years younger.  We regretted ( nah, not really!) the pounding we would lay on the young pups of the league but someone had to remind them the natural order of things, and Bill was certainly the one to do that.  Losing to a bunch of senior citizens was simply the price one would have to pay to come on any court that Bill was on.

I have had people say to me, "You're so competitive."  What I loved about Bill was he was just as competitive as me, maybe even more so!  I found him like a big puppy dog off the court, gregarious and friendly and always engaging.  But on the court:  a pit bull and a tiger!   It wasn't a court.  It was a cage!  

When we played, Bill wanted that ball.  He wanted to take the big shot.  The shot that would win the game.  We now live in a world where most men don't want the ball.  Most men don't want to take the last shot.  Men are afraid they won't make it.  Bill always wanted to take that last shot.  Why?  Because he knew he could make that big shot, he knew that he would make the last shot!  From ten-twelve feet out, Bill's shot was money in the bank!  Hence, my nickname for Big Bill:  MR.  MONEY.   

I'm going to miss you, MR. MONEY.  For your smile, for your friendship, for your big, hearty laugh, for your fire and passion.  
You were Gold in a world of silver and copper coins.   Rest in peace and take it easy on the players in your new league up there.   They don't see your kind too often.   But not too easy.  Remind them who is now playing with them.  MR. MONEY.

Your teammate and friend,

Tim 


Nous tenons à transmettre nos condoléances à toute la famille DeHorn ainsi qu’à ma tante Andrée qui a été là pour lui durant toutes ces années.  Bon repos bill! Xxxx

OBITUARY

William DeHorn

March 22, 1947 – July 31, 2019

Résidences funéraires Collins Clarke MacGillvray White Funeral Homes

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