I knew Bil mainly through my husband, Ross. They used to dive together before I came on the scene and before Bil went to Mexico full time. They did technical stuff together in the ’90’s – typical bunch of stupid deep dives, mostly because they could. I think they called Bil “Mr. O2 Goo” on those dives because of the fluids that came out of his nose like festoons…but I digress. They spent considerable time together over decades, particularly at a mutual friend’s place at Bamfield on the west coast of Vancouver Island. By the time I joined the picture, Bil was based in Mexico. I really only knew him as the quirky guy who’d show up on our doorstep unannounced whenever he was in town, bundled up like a mummy because he was always cold. Bil was very open with Ross in my presence, so I got to know him that way… Ross used to say Bil looked gawky on land, like he wasn’t designed for it, but he was the epitome of grace underwater – he was in his element. I’d like to make sure everyone understands that he was always in harmony with water.
