Thursday, March 19, 2009

Pictures of William











12 comments:

  1. How very nice to see these pictures of Bill and his family. I hadn't seen him for many years, the last times were at Waldorf School events in San Francisco when our kids were in elementary school. I met Bill when he was producing "All Together Now" at KPIX, and he allowed me, a beginning filmmaker to follow him around and film him at work. It was an incredible learning experience for me and Bill's warmth and style were very inspiring. I am sure many others have been helped along the way by Bill. He had a generous spirit and I am deeply indebted to him for his encouragement. Thanks again Bill.

    Paul Feyling

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  2. William and I were good friends from the time I met him in 6th grade through high school in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A few years after that, we mostly lost touch as we went our separate ways - he to his adventures on the West Coast and me to mine in the East.

    I was surprised and sorrowful to learn of his passing.

    I had been aware of his early professional success in Boston and California, and it is gratifying to learn that along with that, my old friend was warmly loved and appreciated from those times on by so many family members, friends and colleagues.

    In 6th grade, 'Billy', or 'Hazelwood', as he was affectionately known to his friends, was quiet - almost shy, and somewhat unsure of himself. But witin a year or two he quickly gained in confidence and began to display the character, consistency and broad range of abilities and potentials for which he continued to be widely admired throughout his life.

    I think our friendship was sealed in elementary school when I helped him overcome his self-consciousness about his unusual height and large feet for our age group by teaching him how to move those feet to the dance steps popular at the time. Soon, at the house parties and school socials that were happening, Billy had gone from self-conscious observer to smooth dancer.

    I also remember Bill's participation as a charter member of a group of about ten of us who played pickup basketball and football together on many Saturdays throught those early years.

    Hazelwood was a true friend and a decent fellow in every way. I mourn his passing while reflecting on the wonderfully productive, giving and happy life that he was able to carve out for himself.

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  3. What charmng pictures of a darling man. His daughters are beautiful and I am so happy to see him so happy. I knew he long before he had is daughters so it is a real treat to see them. I am also so delighted to see him with his lovely wife and family. What a joyful group you are. I believe he will be with you always and I hope you feel his presence.

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  4. Thanks so much for the photos. William was a special guy, a special pal. I still find it difficult to accept that he's gone.
    Gerry Haslam

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  5. Dear Susan (and family),

    My heart goes out to you for the loss of such a great person as William. When we worked together at KPIX-TV in the early 70’s I enjoyed the “New England” in William since I was raised in New England too. We found ourselves together in the control room of the 6:00 o’clock weekend edition of Eyewitness News … he directing the script I had prepared and produced. He had an amazing and rare ability to inspire confidence in the crew with his calmness, control and serenity, even when the show looked like it was going down the tubes.

    Over the years we bumped into each other, I like to believe, out of respect for each other’s professionalism and mutual interest and love for television production. Later I got to know a different, deeper and warmer side of him when you had me for dinner and I got to know you too Susan. Science of Mind also emerged as a common bond. And wasn’t it only about eight weeks ago now that he stopped by my office to see a new software video switcher I had downloaded? We were always looking forward to working together again.

    When William couldn’t attend the Reel Recovery retreat several years ago, he offered his space to me where I shared cancer recovery and flyfishing with eleven other guys in a weekend retreat that meant so much to me and continues to feed me. And Williams’s kindness in sharing that with me allowed me to create a video that Reel Recovery uses for fund raising … that healing for others came directly from William’s generous heart. He then followed me the next year and I was always eagerly looking forward to casting our fly lines together sometime.

    I will dearly miss his presence in my life. My life is richer for it.

    Love and Blessings,
    Ed Dudkowski

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  6. William's passing seems so unreal.... I shall miss that warm enveloping handshake, hugs and laughter.
    I'll also miss those wonderful coffee breaks where we solved the problems of the world (and some that didn't exist except in our mind’s eye). Spoke of how proud we each were of our children and stepchildren and so many other wonderful things.
    He passed too soon!
    Natalia’s and I send special hugs to Susan and her family as they move through this sad time.
    Love, David

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  7. Thank you for sharing the pictures of Bill. He was a big part of coming of age for many of us at Northeastern University! It's a time I write about often so I always feel like those fellow students are never far away from me. I was happy he remained in touch with my cousin Jim Spencer in Cambridge so I had the good fortune to reconnect with Bill before we got too old to remember each other's names! Although I only met his daughters once, in passing when I was on the SFSU campus and none of his other family I send sincerest sympathy and thanks for sharing him with the rest of the world.

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  8. The news of Bill's death sent a wave of shock and sadness through a rather tightly knit group of friends from his hometown of Cambridge, MA. Even though he became "of the world", we have and will always regard him as one of us, and his passing does create a palpable empty space. As well, we delighted in his accomplishments, and his continued success was no surprise. Bill was one of the most popular people at Cambridge High and Latin School, where we were also classmates. He was the secretary of the class of 1965, and voted the best dancer --oh, yes, he was smooth. He was so talented, studious, substantively intellectual, athletic, focussed, and funny -- an all-round great guy. He was a "guy's guy, but also a gentleman. I regret not being able to attend this Saturday's memorial, so I offer my sincerest condolences and best thoughts to you, his family, whom he treasured. I hope that there will be some comfort in the wonderful memories you created together. It is comforting to know that his final hours were spent surrounded by love.
    "...Adn in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." (Lennon/McCartney)
    Peace,
    Paula Paris

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  9. I can not truly say I knew William "bill" Hazelwood Jr. personally. We never met, never even spoke, but yet we share a connection. we both know and love a woman by the name Kena Hazelwood. I met Kena my junior year in high school she had just graduated from Bard and was a little still confuse on what she wanted to do next so she decided to be a live-in tutor for a year. It was through Kena that I got to know Mr. Hazelwood, when she spoke of her father she was proud, her voice echoing with pride. I never had a good relationship with my father and I envied her. she always talked about how he accepted her and her craziness, and I know whenever Hazelwood had a problem she flew right to Cali to see and take advice from her parents or she called them right up; I take credit because sometimes I was the cause of those phone calls and flights home. Kena is a strong, educated, loving and determined person and it took some one of an even higher stature to raise her to be what she is now. It was through her I saw him, he lives in her and through her, though we never met Mr. Hazelwood, I have spoken to you countless times every time I talk to Kena and I really want to say Thank you.

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  11. We miss you, William. We always will. You were one of those special people who brought light into others' lives.

    As Fred said, "More than a breeze, less than a storm, a soft current in our lives. That cool jazz, to calm and entertain."

    Much love always, Marsha and Fred

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  12. I found this page in hopes to look up the most influential teacher that helped shape my career. I was a student of his at SFSU in the 90's. I wish I would have taken the time to say "Thank you" so much sooner.

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