BILL....I HAD NOT SEEN IN 30YRS, BUT I ALSO ASKED HIS BROTHER, ANDREW ABOUT HIM. BILL, IS THE UNCLE TO MY CHILDREN. ANDREW E. MASON IS THEIR FATHER. BILL WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBER BY ME. I AM SORRY I DIDNT GET TO SEE HIM OFTEN. BILL, WAS A GREAT MAN AND I WISH MY CHILDREN HAD MET HIM.

Lisa and I met Bill thru our friend Wilbur Thomas here in DC. There is no one I've met in my life who stimulated my mind, challenged my intellect, made my heart smile, or my belly laugh more than Bill. My children, Rachel and Zack, finally had the black uncle they always wanted, and they treasured him dearly. My last experience with Bill involved a party with friends, too much intake of things that are are supposedly no good for you, a drive home on the Rock Creek Parkway at midnite, and a DC police car following us with the strobe lights on, scaring us half to death. When I could finally pull over and the police car passed us by, we never laughed as hard, or cursed out a police officer as much. It is a fabulous final experience to have shared with a wonderful person who will never be forgotten by me or my family. I feel sad for the loss of a great friend and the knowledge that there will be less laughter in my life because Bill is gone, but as Bill always said when confronted with life's little difficulties. "What you eat don't make me fat". If there is a God, I hope he takes advantage of the good company of one of his truly great creations. Rest in peace Bill. We will see you soon enough and we will try to live as you would have us live. With a smile on our face and as much whimsy as we can muster.

I am still trying to absorb the fact of Bill's death and, as a mutual friend wrote, how his departure makes great holes in the tapestry of our lives, and a numbing silence.

I am very sorry to learn of Bill Mason's sudden death. I knew Bill when I was an undergraduate at Xavier University in the 1960s. Our Black Student Association set up Xavier's first Black History course, and Bill was one of our first professors in the course. I took the course myself, and learned a tremendous amount about our history. He was a very knowlegeable and proud man, and he instilled pride in our students. He will be missed.

Sweet William, I'm going to miss your gentle soul, big and thoughtful heart, affirming and accepting spirit, well-woven tales, sense of irony and style, and those clove Krakatoas. Nobody could do "the dozens" like you. "Yo, Momma!"

St. Peter must have already taken one look at your sorry ass and sent you back, with instructions, "the world needs more whimsy."

Bill, nobody had quite the gift you had for being a sounding board, par excellence. You literally walked me through some of my most agonizing moments. You helped me when I was otherwise unable to express my condolences for the passing of a dear son of a dear mutual friend. You called me up to alert me to the comings and goings of another dear friend whom we both loved.

Gonna miss you big time, sweet William, and all that flowed from you.

You lit up every room you ever entered, and who can forget how the Casablanca came alive when you were in town?

Keep a light on for the rest of us.

Love,
Allan

Bill Mason helped us understand what it means to be a family, his genuine interest in people and his eagerness to build bridges left a legacy which will last. I want to express my sincere sympathy to those close to him on their loss and wish them well. With Love,

My thoughts and prayers are with Bill, his family, and many friends. With Sympathy, Pat

Bill was a man of honesty; one who 'told it like it is' - making no attempt at delicately glossly over the truth. He earned my respect the minute I met him. Of the many people whose paths I've crossed in my life, this man had a strong influence. His down to earth - NO NONSENSE approach to communicating effectively will continue to influence me; and I am certain, everyone who has dared engaged him in debate. Bill was AWESOME. Or, as he would quickly retort, 'you mean awful, don't you?' - "FULL OF AWE."

To Bill, whose passing brings such pain
There are no words, there is no art
That either can express or fill
This empty place within my heart;
Though tears may dry and years may pass
And we may smile recalling "when..."
And prize the gift of knowing you,
We'll never quite be whole again.