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Bill Blue

Alpine 1789

Alpine 1789

SAOCA President
Diamond Level Sponsor
I am very sorry to report that Bill Blue passed away earlier this week. Bill has mentioned his battle with cancer on the forum before and, unfortunately, he lost that fight on Monday evening. The Sunbeam world is a lot less interesting now.

I first met Bill at one of our Invasions, when he successfully convinced me to sell him a mint SII dashboard for $25, much less than I was asking. He didn't appear to be much of a car guy to me, but boy was I wrong! Bill truly loved the challenges of breaking new ground with his cars, documenting his many failures and ultimate successes here. He was never afraid to admit his weaknesses, nor to learn from others. But his strength and willingness to keep going until he succeeded was something most of us can only aspire to. As he demonstrated with his DuraPine, Bill was a car guy through and through and he and his wife Barb drove that car (and its successors) all over the country, attending Sunbeam events wherever they were held. He also hosted one of our Invasions and for many years has been one of the most prolific posters on our forum. I remember my wife and I having dinner with Bill and Barb at the West Coast Invasion in 2018. We had flown to California; Bill and Barb drove there from Indiana in the DuraPine.
 
Alpine 1789 said:
I am very sorry to report that Bill Blue passed away earlier this week. Bill has mentioned his battle with cancer on the forum before and, unfortunately, he lost that fight on Monday evening. The Sunbeam world is a lot less interesting now.

I first met Bill at one of our Invasions, when he successfully convinced me to sell him a mint SII dashboard for $25, much less than I was asking. He didn't appear to be much of a car guy to me, but boy was I wrong! Bill truly loved the challenges of breaking new ground with his cars, documenting his many failures and ultimate successes here. He was never afraid to admit his weaknesses, nor to learn from others. But his strength and willingness to keep going until he succeeded was something most of us can only aspire to. As he demonstrated with his DuraPine, Bill was a car guy through and through and he and his wife Barb drove that car (and its successors) all over the country, attending Sunbeam events wherever they were held. He also hosted one of our Invasions and for many years has been one of the most prolific posters on our forum. I remember my wife and I having dinner with Bill and Barb at the West Coast Invasion in 2018. We had flown to California; Bill and Barb drove there from Indiana in the DuraPine.
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I am very sorry to learn of Bill's passing. He was a wonderful person and very helpful to many of us. We traveled together on several occasions and had many a meal together. I was one of the first Saoca members that got to drive his DuraPine, a wonderful Alpine with tremendous performance. I will miss him. SAOCA has lost more than it knows.
 
I am deeply saddened by this news. I've known Bill for years, on the old forum and this one,
and finally got to meet him in person at the New Hampshire TEAE United this past year. What a great person
to discuss any modification you might want to make to an Alpine, always willing to give advice and suggestions.
He spoke of his cancer and I got the impression that he was winning. He's in a much better place now.
God Speed Bill!
 
I refer to My Friend as Mr Bill. From the very first I met He and Barb we became best of friends. I am deeply sadden with his passing from this old world.

Yes, I did get to drive the DuraPine and what an experience. We were in contact almost every week about nothing else but Sunbeam Alpines.

A few years ago while on a local trip to a local auto shop for some parts the DuraPine was hit in the right rear which almost totaled the Alpine. Mr Bill was more than burdened about how to "fix" it. I offered him an Alpine that was in really good shape body wise. We made a deal, I delivered it to Connersville along with my rotisserie. Loaded the DuraPine body and headed home. It has taken me until this past Friday to get the rear section straightened (Frame Expert). I Spoke with Mr Bill while he was in the hospital just before he died. He was pleased that the DuraPine will be going back on the Road soon. He was hoping to make the Columbia, SC British Show too.

With Mr Bill having Cancer we had another item in common, I too have Cancer which was diagnosed as Pancreatic cancer back on the first of Oct 2024. They gave me 6 months, but I am hoping to beat it. Maybe my vitamins will be the answer. I have my weight stabilized for the past two months... I ask you all to pray for Barb and the Boys.

See you in Columbia, SC April 4, 5, & 6, 2025
 
So sad to hear of Bill's passing. I first met him (and Barb), at the 2016 Invasion they hosted in Indiana. I didn't have a road worthy Sunbeam, but they encouraged me to attend anyway and were so welcoming. He was the real deal and will certainly be missed.

Rick
 
Bill & Barb were at plenty of Sunbeam events and had many a discussion about his Durapine which he had put 100K on that motor. Helped Dan R and Bill get the wrecked Alpine on Dan’s trailer and hook up the rotisserie. Drove to Connersville from Wisc to get the T5 for my V6 Alpine project. Bill had an interesting basement workshop/garage which I envied. Barb made a Ham on rye sandwich for the road when I departed. They had just aquired “Judy” and was glad to show it off. Was parked next to them at the United in Bowling Green when they bought “Judy” 69 Alpine GT. Bill will be missed along with Bob Webb RIP.
Bill’s Durapine @ Suni in Colorado Springs the other is on our descent from Pike Peak stopped at an overlook.
 

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You could count on Bill and Barb to attend the Invasion each Spring and the United in the Fall-usually with a Sunbeam they had driven there. We always enjoyed talking to them and sharing Sunbeam stories.
Here is a photo of Bill in the hospitality/swap meet room at a recent Invasion.

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Lots of fun and laughter with other friends.
Bill and Barb were club member number 113. He was around since the club's beginnings and we won't forget him. Blessings to Barb and their family.
 
No, I'm not writing you from the afterlife.

Barb and I (Nathan, middle child) heard about this thread and wanted to say thanks for all the kind words and memories you've shared with us. Bill did mention that he wanted his boys to take Judy and Silver down in April, weather permitting. Hopefully you will get to see the DuraPine 2.0 in a few months.

I know that this is an international forum and many people can't make it to Indiana, but wanted to share his arrangements with the forum also.
Again, Thanks
https://www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/william-e-bill-blue/#!/Obituary
 
DanR said:
Do you Guys remember this Orange One?
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Bill's Alpine was originally an Orchid Green car.
I met Bill at the 2005 Invasion in Rushville IN. He asked me to inspect his brake mods which I did, and I couldn't find any problems, he did a good job
Jan
 
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Don't know how I only got this notice now, terrible news.

Bill was a great Sunbeamer and really nice guy.
His projects and experiments were always interesting and he was always so open and honest with his success and failures.
 
Aw, jeez....I met him at Tip City invasion, 2002,I think he had a pinto motor with a plastic fan in an Alpine. I'll miss him....A good man, a good friend.
 
Met Bill at the Lake Lure meet and he gave me a tour of the Durapine.I distinctly remember the green intake tubes and thought it odd,
but later, after driving it at the Columbia meet, odd was working very well. A really good driving Alpine.
I enjoyed sitting and talking w/ Bill as he ad lots of ideas and was interested in what others were doing. I will miss him .
 
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