It is with great sadness that today I report the passing of Morris William "Bill/Circus" Abbot Jr. Bill died this morning in hospice in Florida after a prolonged illness and disability caused by a number of serious falls. Memorial arrangements are still being made.
For those of you who never had the opportunity to know Circus, well... you missed out. He was witty, charismatic, a fierce drinker and monger who had a heart larger than any man could ever hope to have.
I am not qualified to be the writer of his obituary; like most of us, I first met Bill while playing in Costa Rica. He was very taciturn about his life and feelings, was a patriot, a veteran and a friend.
During his 73 years, Bill served two tours in the infantry in Vietnam. He worked as a building contractor, made a living for awhile as a professional gambler, worked for the cruise lines as a professional dance companion for unescorted ladies aboard ship and finally worked as a building code enforcement officer for the City of Jacksonville FL until his retirement only a couple short years ago.
Bill had a love of theater, music and dance, which led him to earn a degree in Circus Arts from Florida State University in Tallahassee. He worked in professional circuses as a highwire artist and as a trapeze catcher, assisting the fliers high above the sawdust. He owned a clown patent, although he himself described it as an interpretation of Emmett Kelly, the archetypal sad clown.
Grief makes it difficult to write this. Bill took me under his wing and taught me some of the finer points of blackjack, drinking and whoring. We talked frequently on the telephone and exchanged e-mails, often political but never boring. I will mis him. I encourage you to write your own Circus stories below.
Bill is survived by a sister, whose name he never told me. He might also have a ch**d or two...
Circus Bill, may you rest in peace, and may perpetual Light shine upon you. May God take you into His arms. Maybe you and I will get a chance to have a mini vodka together in the afterlife. I sure hope so, my dear friend.
If I have any facts wrong here (particularly with the spelling of Bill's name) please comment below. As I say, I am not really qualified to write a complete, respectful and loving obituary for my friend. Bill kept his private history very private; in fact, I am unsure even of his age. I thought however, that Bill has many friends among us, and I thought it important to let you know that our friend is no longer with us. R.I.P. my friend.
(I have edited this post to correct the spelling of Bill's first name. Also, a memorial service will be held at 8:00 a.m., March 18th in front of the lifeguard main station on Jacksonville Beach. Bill's ashes will then be taken out to sea and committed there).