Bill Weiland

[Rick Wilson]

I'm really sad to report that last night our community member and friend Bill Weiland succumbed to his very long battle with cancer.

Bill had fought and beat a number of cancers over the past 26 years and last night that fight came to an end.

He was surrounded by his family and was loved across our community.

We had known for a long time that this was coming but all the preparation in the world couldn't assist in avoiding the grief that comes with learning of Bill's passing.

I had the opportunity to work with Bill extensively over the past 17 years and he's one of the rare people that transcended business to become a personal friend. Everyone I know who worked closely with Bill felt the same way about him.

He has been a great friend to me and many of us here at Miva, as well as to our community. I, and many, many other will miss him

I've attached the posting from his family about his passing last night:

For the last 26 years, our father William Weiland has waged his war with cancer. Tonight, while surrounded by his loved ones, he peacefully went home. He joined the Army at the age of 20, and left after 4 years to study at Auburn University as a Veterinarian. He graduated in the top five of his class. He traveled around the world while serving his country in the Air Force, and retired as a Lt. Colonel after 26 years of dedicated service as an Air Force Veterinarian and a Public Health Officer. After retiring from the military, he started his own software development company. He was able to cross off all of the items on his bucket list. Just a few weeks ago, he traveled to Italy and viewed some of the most beautiful works created by man. He loved traveling, collecting antique cars (mainly corvettes), collecting movie posters, eating desserts, and enjoying his dream home by the beach. He has touched so many lives through the military and the business that he loved.

We thank all of his friends for their concern and love over the past few months. We ask that everyone keep our family in their hearts and minds and share any stories you may have of the good times.

- Todd, Shawn, and Ryan Weiland

[wmgilligan]

Bill was a wonderful man. I never got close enough to know of his battle, but I spent a number of hours talking with him and even being invited to join him on a Jazz cruise. I never did make it. Bill was very very supportive of me over the years, and many times helped direct my Miva development with a hint, or special line of code. And man - the number of modules purchased from him I could never begin to count.
I will miss Bill. He was one of the "old timers" here - it will be different now without his emails and responses.
Happy Trails Bill -

[Pamela Hazelton]

In 2007, I took to the forums to write about the passing of Luray Williams. It was a very difficult time for Bill and the entire Miva Merchant community. Today is a difficult time for many of us. I took to writing this afternoon and had difficulty stopping. I wanted to share my post to convey some of the "early days" of Miva Merchant and how big of a role Bill played in getting us all where we are today. Bill was a big part of helping thousands of small business stores make their mark on the internet. And he's a big reason why the shopping cart is what it is today. Rest in peace, Bill. You will forever be missed.

(and if anyone wants to copy paste my post directly in here, that's perfectly fine)

[ILoveHostasaurus]

He was such a fantastic guy, and played an instrumental part in promoting the hosting operation that ultimately became part of Miva itself a decade later. I first worked with him in 2002 and began hosting his website in 2003 after much nagging by myself and Luray. It was always fun to catch up with him when we had time. My wife and I went to see him last fall, and I wish I had a chance to make it back down more recently, but unfortunately that didn't happen. I'm so glad that he was able to enjoy quite a bit of world traveling over the past six months even with his health issues; a relative of mine is not doing anywhere near as well with a similar situation. He's going to be missed greatly.

[lesliekirk]

Bill has been my mentor and my friend. There were many days that he made me scream, but I knew he was pushing me to be better. He helped me ever since I added that very first EmporiumPlus module which required to edit the mivascript to add it, as he has helped many other fledgling Mivites. My appreciation for him is truly beyond any words I could use.

Thank you Bill! Until we meet again.

Bill Weiland, My Miva Merchant Mentor and Friend

[lesliekirk]

I miss Bill ...

[Scot - ScotsScripts.com]

A class act and cool guy. I remember in detail the times I chatted with him at one of those early miva conferences. The world is greater because of him and less without him...