I have known Bill since I became a journalist for European Plastics News in 1998. Although EPN and PN were competing media at that time, I came to appreciate his skills and knowledge while we were attending various press events organized by plastics machinery producers.
He was notable for persistence in getting angles on news stories well beyond official PR statements, e.g., by seeking out comments by trade unions when companies were struggling with various problems. I will always remember how we both discovered "the unexploded bomb at the Fakuma fair" and how much we enjoyed reporting on it, while it didn't occur to other media to do the same.
My fondest memory of Bill comes from the time we spent together when he visited Düsseldorf, Germany, in May 2016 to prepare a report of logistics aspects of preparing and running the K 2016 fair. It gave us the opportunity to take a less hectic view of life. But nevertheless, we managed to visit three museums in the area in one day. We had lunch together, and we wrapped up the visit with coffee and cake at my home. My wife got to know Bill, and she is as shocked as much as I am by his untimely death.
Our thoughts go out to all those Bill has left behind, both his relatives and his work colleagues. He will be missed by all of us.
David Vink is a former associate editor of European Plastics News and a regular contributor to Plastics News.