I know that this a long way off-topic for what should be a technical forum, but I thought Bill’s contributions here deserved more than a fading away in silence. I never met him, but I will miss him.
Subject: *Very sad. Besides his professional talents he was warm, friendly, modest, and approachable. He is and will be missed.
Subject: Sad … he will be missed
Subject: Bill Ernest has passed away.
I have appreciated all the assistance I receive from this forum. I did not know Bill, but I’m sure he has helped me sometime in the past 7 years. I will always miss someone who has helped me in this way.
Many Thanks for posting this info.
My condolences to all who knew and respected Bill.
Subject: We’ve lost one of the best. Bill Ernest has passed away.
I for one don’t care Stan, it’s lovely that he should be remembered here, and his contributions have helped to make this the friendly forum that it is.
George 
Subject: RE: We’ve lost one of the best. Bill Ernest has passed away.
I agree, this is not way off-topic at all…with the kind of postings that clutter the forum. Bill touched a lot of us with his responses. Life is cruel; it takes away the thing(s) that are the best. I enjoyed his “acquaintance”, even though it was over the “great beyond”.
Coming from outside the U.S. or Canada, pardon me if anything in my posting is inappropriate.
Subject: *completely appropriate.
Subject: We’ve lost one of the best. Bill Ernest has passed away.
I met Bill at one of the early Lotuspheres; probably the first one. I always made a point of seeking him out to renew the friendship at events in following years, and he did likewise. He was an even nicer guy in person than he has been in this and other forums over the years.
-rich
Subject: We’ve lost one of the best. Bill Ernest has passed away.
Sitting at work each day with this forum constatntly open, all the names I see become my “work colleagues” and “chatty friends” for the day.
Sad that one has gone. The forum family has lost a member.
Mike
PS - Not off topic at all Stan. Thanks for posting it.
Subject: A very sad day for us all.
Bill was one of the most reliable, knowledgeable and respected participants on LDD. Many a time he has come my aid. He was still posting last week, dedication indeed.So long Bill and thanks for all the help you have given. You will be missed.
Subject: We’ve lost one of the best. Bill Ernest has passed away.
That well and truly sucks. Any details on when/how/etc.?
Subject: RE: We’ve lost one of the best. Bill Ernest has passed away.
Scott Good’s blog had an entry ( http://www.scottgood.com/jsg/blog.nsf – Bill worked at Teamwork Solutions), but his blog appears to be down at the moment. Bill seems to have died peacefully at home.
ADDED: Permalink for the entry http://www.scottgood.com/jsg/blog.nsf/plinks/SGOD-6C2G6H
Subject: RE: We’ve lost one of the best. Bill Ernest has passed away.
According to Scott Good of Teamwork Solutions, he apparently died in his sleep last Wednesday night. He was 47.
Subject: We’ve lost one of the best. Bill Ernest has passed away.
That’s terrible. Glad to hear it was at least peaceful.
Stan, you’ll be my only sparring partner now.
Subject: We’ve lost one of the best. Bill Ernest has passed away.
I did not meet him either but I will miss seeing his name in the forum and the help he provided.
It is odd how familiar everyone is, just from seeing names and interacting from a distance…
Subject: We’ve lost one of the best. Bill Ernest has passed away.
I missed this when you originally posted but I don’t think it was out of line for this forum at all; it would be wrong to have his absense go without comment. He will be sorely missed.
Subject: RE: We’ve lost one of the best. Bill Ernest has passed away.
The obituary:
http://www.legacy.com/dispatch/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=3506859
Thanks for the post, Stan. He will be missed by more people than he will ever know.
Gregg