couesloco Report post Posted August 26, 2008 Here is the obituary in the Sierra Vista Herald: Bill obit Dave, it is so hard to say goodbye so suddenly to such a great friend. Bill had influence on people far beyond what he knew -as a charter member of the Huachuca Whitetail Club, Bill and the members have always helped with the youth hunters of the community. Bill and the club have certainly had an influence on my kids in their shooting and hunting upbringing... It is with a heavy heart and a huge lump in my throat that I bid him farewell - our sympathies go out to Bill's family through this difficult time. The Eaton Family Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Manhunter Report post Posted September 2, 2008 Tragically, Bill Saathoff of Hereford Az. was killed in a plane crash on Wed. My heart is acking so I'm telling a small part of his story. He was my mentor & friend for the last 25 years. One of the best men & hunters I've ever known. Bill was a "modern day pioneer." Back in the late 70s he was one of, if not the first, to put big binos on a tripod (long before swarovski) to hunt Coues & desert mulies. When very few cared & tags were plentiful, he guided countless number of hunters to big Coues using this "NEW" technique. He let me tag along & help out. Actually, he could'nt get rid of me, I was hooked! When I finally started guiding for him I was in heaven. Along with his son, Adam, who I watched grow into a fine man & friend as well, we hunted & outfitted all over the Southwest & Mexico learning what we did'nt know together. He was always willing to help, teach & promote this "NEW" Az. Coues deer hunting. He helped founded the "Huachuca Whitetail Club" (past Pres. many times), Past Pres. of the 'Desert Trophy whitetail club' in Tucson as well Helped develope the Shooting Range in Sierra Vista & always promoted Youth shooting sports. He was a Master Taxidermist learning his ART under John Doyle, he did all my mounts for virtually nothing. A Son, Husband, Father, Grandfather,Teacher (Dean@Cochise College),Friend & Mentor, he will be deeply missed. So when all of you are on top of a hill this season, looking thru you're big glass trying to find that Big Buck & seeing all those other hunters using the same technique, You now know by who & how this craze got started. I know I'm grateful for being with him, & he'll always be with me on the Mt. "GOD SPEED BILL" DH I have to echo what COUESNUT (DH) said about Bill. Bill was a very good friend for a long time, especially to those of use who developed a love for hunting Coues whitetails, but to me he was a very good personal friend as well and helped me during the most difficult time in my life. I was stationed at Ft. Huachuca twice in the 80s and 90s and we shared many a campfire, many a brew, tuned some loads, and shared some tears as well. Aside from the whitetail, muley, bear and elk hunts we shared, Bill did some things for me that very few friends would have ever done. I had to return early from an assignment in Korea to take custody of my daughters and divorce my first wife. Bill helped me through some very, very difficult times and for that, I will always be in his debt. Tragically - and primarily as a result of my divorce, as so often happens - my divorce was a contributing factor in us drifting apart after I remarried, left the Army, and moved to Pennsylvania, and we didn't really stay in contact. Nonetheless, I will never forget the many times at Bill's house and in his shop that Adam, Tom, Dave and others of us spent in his shop talking about hunting - especially Coues deer - and sharing many a story and laugh. I feel ashamed to say that it took his death to remind me of what a good friend he was to me when I truly needed a friend of Bill's caliber. As DH said, "God speed, Bill"; I'm sure the Lord has you sitting on a mountainside behind a pair of big binos. We'll be there with you soon enough, buddy... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couesnut Report post Posted September 2, 2008 dang Randy, Nice to see you're still around. The celebration of Bill's life on Thurs. was really Nice, & it REALLY sucked!!! About 500 people showed. WOW. Lots of Hugging, Crying, Laughing, BSing & drinking. I have'nt seen some of those people in a long time. Sad that it takes a death to bring us all back together. Hope you're life is good....DH Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Manhunter Report post Posted September 3, 2008 Hello Dave. Nice to hear from you again, but it would be far better to be sitting on a mountainside parked behind some binos looking for a toad. Sure do miss you guys! Wish I could've been there. You can get my email by clicking on my alias. Drop me an email; I'd like to catch up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wbyfireman Report post Posted September 5, 2008 Very sorry for your loss... I suppose for what it's worth he probably lived and experienced things others only wish. Our hearts go out to you, and his family!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
