Basejumper.com - archive

Bill Beck, A.K.A "Black Death Bill," passed away on June 1, 2012. Many excellent, dangerous and foolish ideas were carried out with his help and encouragement. He was a good friend to many people, and he will be missed. His passing was neither parachute nor aircraft related.

Great guy for sure! Humble, reserved, thoughtful, funny, generous, and could fly the shit out of a bed sheet. Huge loss to way more than just this community. Blue skies, long flights, low pulls, soft trees, and half-grins, Bill. See you on the other side.

Awesome guy that I got to share a few cool jumps with last year. Was looking forward to jumping with him again this year. I've never seen someone bring coveralls and a sleeping bag to the top of an object, but damn I was cold and he was not!

What a senseless act. RIP Bill. Sorry we never got to jump together but I enjoyed the stories both flying and base.

Just when you thought things could not get crazier .
He will be missed around here . Great guy & good to jump with, and @ times was One SICK low-Puller . Always had a good time with him .
He sure loved to fly also, a fantastic pilot, both fixed wing & rotor .
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Definitely a tragedy.

Years ago, I had a little accident jumping. I was laid up in the hospital for a couple weeks. Bill called to wish me well, and we talked for a bit. I asked him what he was up to, and he told me that he was also, actually, lying in a hospital bed, after a little accident of his own. The fact that he didn't tell me until after we'd talked for 20 minutes was just such pure Bill.


One time, I was jumping an antenna with 554, KJ and Bill. We were packing at the bottom and riding the elevator to altitude. Bill had a sail slider on his Mojo and I remember commenting on it, and asking why he didn't put a mesh one on there. Bill said it was more comfortable for him, and besides, he was pulling good and high anyway.

We were riding the elevator up in pairs, so while 554 and Bill went up, KJ and I were packing. Just as we're finishing up our pack jobs, 554 jumps (a solo), and we watch him land. We look up to watch for Bill, and here he comes, smoking it down into the basement. He pulls really, really low (the only time I ever saw someone pull lower at this tower was when DW flew between the wires). Bill's sail slider snivels just a touch, and he slams into the ground just as it hits his connector links.

Bill collapses onto the ground, and we are all running over to check on him. KJ is shouting "Bill!" and something like "ohmygod, he's dead..." as we run.

But before we get there, Bill hops up on one foot. He smiles and says "hey, I think I rolled my ankle a little." He starts limping toward us.

KJ and I are supposed to get on the elevator next. But KJ is pretty shaken up by watching Bill, and asks if we can hold off a few minutes so he can collect himself.

In classic style, Bill says "well, if you don't mind, I've got another rig packed in the car, and I can just take your place." So KJ sits out while Bill and I ride the elevator up for another round.


I'll miss you, Bill.