We are saddened to share that Bill Gabbert, founder of Wildfire Today/Fire Aviation and a friend and colleague to so many in our profession, passed away last night. His family shared that Bill died peacefully in his sleep yesterday evening in Senatobia, Miss.
Our thoughts are with Bill’s family. We will share more on Bill’s life in the days ahead.
7 Comments
Oh, no! My condolences to Bill’s family and the fire aviation community. I wish for all of you comfort, peace, and the best of memories. We truly have lost someone special.
Wow….
He was a definite asset to the Wildfire press.
He sent me a Hat for my collection what a Awsome dude that will be missed and remembered fondly by his readers.
Rest In Peace my friend.
Bill is and always will be a Person who has contributed to the Wonderful Life We Americans live every day. From Me… Bubba CH54B F/E you are one of my Favorites.
Sad news indeed. It literally took my breath away when I read it.
To Bill’s family: Thank you for sharing him with us. I for one will never forget the impression he made on me, a person he didn’t know and never met. We are all the better for his work, which he was kind enough to share with us.
I’m looking forward to learning more about his life. Thanks for that.
Bless you, Bill Gabbert.
So sad to hear this. Bill was full of compassion and kindness. I never met him but he touched my heart. My 25 yr. old son along with 8 other men died in the Iron 44 tragic helicopter crash in 2008. He shared some opinions with me personally which were very helpful and he covered everything accurately and passionately in his writings. He validated many of my frustrations. RIP 🙏 My condolences to his family.Grief is a tough road to travel.
You won’t be forgotten, Bill. But your passing will leave a empty place. My condolences to the family.
It feels crass to address Bill’s loss in the comment section of a web board, but it’s through this same site (and Wildfire Today) that many knew him, and to which he really devoted himself. When I learned of his passing, like many I felt saddened and a profound loss; he’s been a presence for a long time, and it seemed to sudden, between his recent announcement, and then the news. Having been in the fire arena for three decades, I’ll confess that there have been many times over the years when I heard news first from this web site, and it’s been a regular place to visit during the season, and off, thanks to Bill’s tireless effort, and my screensaver is full of his pictures. I had been planning to contact him very recently, and got the news the same day, a reminder that whatever we plan, we shouldn’t put off, and I think he would agree. His influence has been far and wide, and it seems hardly anything to say it in a footnote on a website, in a comment, but thanks, Bill. Things wont’ be the same.
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