The Passing Of One Of R/C's Best -- Bill Bridges
 

We are all poorer today for the passing of Bill Bridges. I have lost my best R/C friend.

Bill managed Hobby Stop West in Toledo for many years, quickly building it into one of the largest and perhaps the best off-road R/C racing shop in the U.S.A. He was lured to Detroit a few years ago where he took over DirtBurner's R/C, building it into one of the best stores and race tracks anywhere. Bill knew everything you wanted to know, and his stores had everything you wanted, no matter what car or class you were driving.

Why was Bill so successful? I think it was a genuine love for people. The store was always a happy place, and Bill always had time to talk with anyone who walked in or called on the phone. People from novices to top national racers called or stopped in every day. Bill had stories about everything, loved telling them, and had a great way of doing it. So many of us went there for no other reason than to listen to Bill. He shared the news, always with a great story, and we laughed a lot.

Bill was a happy, smiling, giving, caring bear of a man. Interesting and fun to be around, even when the struggle against cancer was obviously a painful losing battle. Bill left us way too early, leaving 5-year old Braydon and wife Chrissy. They and we are the poorer for it.

R.I.P. Bill Bridges.

Well said Chazz, very sad news. Typical of Bill he remained oh so positive. Huge loss for the family, and for a tremendous amount of friends.

Rest In Peace Bill.

rip bill only met him 2 times but that is 2 conversations i wont forget well maybe some of the knowledge he shared there was so much to take in...............

rip we have lost a legend

RIP BILL! Godspeed

Sad news indeed. I used to buy onroad and offroad stuff from him when he was at Hobby Stop West back in the day, and it was always great to deal with him over the phone. I'm glad that I did finally get to meet Bill in person at the bill bridges benefit race last summer. He actually remembered my name, just from our dealings over the phone many years before. He will be sorely missed.

Bill was a great guy.

R.I.P. Bill...........

+1 :nod:

I have 10+ years of great racing memories with him. :cry:

Some links to previous benefit races for him.

http://www.liverc.com/news/special_f...e_%26_Auction/
http://www.liverc.com/news/special_f...is_a_success!/
http://www.liverc.com/news/announcem..._Benefit_Race/
http://www.liverc.com/news/race_resu...efit_Race_2.0/

"Bill Bridges Memorial Race" TBA soon!

RIP Bill

Very sad news indeed. I spent a year in Detroit back in 2000 and I met him at Hobby Shop West. He was always very friendly and helpful and introduced me to the local tracks and to the MARS series. I spent many weekend hours hanging out in the shop.

RIP mate.

Ray

Very well written Chazz.
I was fortunate to meet Bill a few times.

There is a benefit race being planned, so far it looks to be on Aug 17th at The Track.

Definitely road trip worthy event. Great track for a Great Cause.

.

Bill was what going to a hobby shop was all about. I only knew him on a casual basis but he knew my name, and was ready to help at the drop of a hat. RIP Bill.

Bill was a great guy. I frequented dirt burners often over the last two years and he was always a friendly and helpful guy. RIP

My path would seem to cross Bill's every few years at race or hobby show, He always greeted you with a smile, and a joke. He was great to talk to and race with. Truly a good ambassador to your industry. He will be missed.

Thoughts and prayers for the family.RIP