08/13/2024
My first memory of William F. Montgomery is from when we met at EAMA in Paris for music. The entire group of students was making introductions - Bill stood up and said he was from Idaho and lived in Louisiana (I was from Texas and lived in Montana) - by geography alone, I knew right then I had made a friend.
We became fast friends during the course, and continued our friendship after things wrapped up. I teased him relentlessly on his selection of beer - always noting that I chose a darker brew and he opting for the lighter side of life.
In 2020, Bill approached me about a crazy idea he had for a podcast - I was instantly hooked and jumped on board. Though he would graciously claim otherwise, Sounds of the World Podcast was always his brainchild, and he was the mastermind and driving force behind the show’s success. I was merely in the passenger seat - eagerly awaiting for the next of many interviews he lined up.
Through the podcast, I met his wife Abbie & his beautiful children. From the moment I met Abbie Montgomery, I knew I wanted to be her friend, and we connected online too. The amazing thing about these two is the moment you’re in, you’re in. I joyfully delighted in the memes they sent & the many zoom calls we had catching up before and after our podcast interviews. It was like we had known each other for so much longer than the short time we had.
Bill has such a special place in my heart: the eternal goofiness, the deep heart-felt conversations we shared, the podcast interviews we got to do together - Bill truly was an amazing friend and colleague. It was also my immense joy to watch him as a family man: interacting with his kids, showing them just how much was possible with hard work and courage.
Among the immense joy of being his friend, was the amazing lessons he taught me: to have courage in the face of adversity, to bravely ask even when you know the answer will likely be no, and to surrender to the flow of life, allowing and encouraging others around you to shine as brightly as possible. As a colleague I often found myself (and still do) thinking, “how would Bill handle this situation? He’d just ask! & probably make a few friends along the way!”
I am at a total loss comprehending that he is gone. I had always imagined us picking the podcast back up when he was feeling better, finally making time to visit him and Abbie (to meet in person for the first time!), and finding 100+ memes he had sent to open on Instagram.
Bill, you are terribly missed already. But I am thankful you no longer have to fight so hard, you can finally rest. I know in my heart you were here so long because of the love you had for your family.
Sending all my love to them, as I know you are too.
