Wednesday, December 9, 2020
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I have fond memories of my Uncle Bill. My mother, Virginia Hughes, was his sister. One of my fondest memories was when I was around 9 or 10, he came to my house for Christmas; my grandmother, Beulah Houseman McAllister, lived with us for a period of time. I got a watch for Christmas, and he taught me how to tell time. My memory of Bill was that he was smart, more sophisticated than any of us, and very funny. I was just enthralled with New York City when I was younger and made it my mission to visit. Since Bill lived there, I contacted him when I was 19 and asked him to help me with a trip there. He made reservations at a hotel for me, got me tickets to the musical "Pippin, " and the dramatic play "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf." He took my girlfriend, Annaliese, and me to Chinatown, and to Brooklyn, where he lived. At that time he had a bar, and lived in an apartment above it. I remember he had a pet poodle. He loved the personality of a poodle. He loved antiques and his house was filled with old furniture he had picked up along the way. I have one picture from his house and it is now in my house. I think of him every time I glance at it. He was a very special man who made friends wherever he went. I have attached a photo of him with my mother, one of the ship picture that used to be in his house (now my house), and a photo of him with my sister, Vickie Mattox. He was truly a man to remember in the McAllister family. I am glad my children met and got to know him too.
Shannon Hughes Colby
