05/30/2026
The Two Brothers Family lost a piece of our heart this week, and I struggle with how best to honor this beautiful man's life as he meant so much to so many and leaves behind a void that will never be filled, ever. William "Bill" Letters was so many things...a friend, a confidant, a mentor, a comedian (as seen here), a scholar, musician, master beer brewer, gardener and gentleman - a kindred soul. His heart was so much bigger than most and he put everyone ahead of himself, always. And at times, yes, Bill had a rough exterior, but it wasn't so rough as to mask that caring and kind disposition that so many of us saw.
I had the blessed opportunity to spend many hours with Bill outside of our Tavern walls talking about life's ups and downs, people, politics, gardening, health, music and so much more. He was so much smarter than me and I worked so hard to keep up with him, often pretending to know exactly what he was talking about when the reality was, I did not. But I never fooled him and he never passed judgement on me...or anyone. He lived simply, but passionately. He appreciated the small things and forgave the hard things. When the cards were stacked against him, he powered through with a remarkable sh*t-eating grin that I will carry with me to my grave. That smile, it has enriched my life and has been forever burned into my memory banks and soul. I regret not telling him often enough how much he meant to me and so many others....I thought I had more time. I was wrong.
So, the moral of this story is one that you have heard a hundred times before, but is so very real. Tell the people in your life how much you love them. Hold them close and hug them like tomorrow may never come. Great people can sometimes be hard to come by, and when they do cross your threshold, grab them and hold on tight for dear life. Bill, you were and always will be one of a kind.....and we will never, ever, forget you. Thank you for making all of our lives so much richer.
