W9ZN William F. Crane SK October 26, 2023

I hate to report that a radio legend has passed. Here is a great tribute WGN-TV did for Bill.


73, Bob
W4QLF

 

Oh my... this is sad. "Butterball" Bill was a fixture on the CW bands and always a pleasure to work. One of the best CW ops I ever heard.

I did note that I had not heard him in a fair amount of time and hoped he wasn't ill or worse.

I used to love listening to his 'warm up' exercises, playing his 'marching music' to draw attention.

A legend. Gone but not forgotten. RIP Bill!

 

What sad news.

I worked Bill many times through the years, and was always impressed with his excellent Morse and, throughout the past 18 years that I've lived in southern IL, his (most often -- regardless of band conditions) tremendous signals on both 40m and 30m.

You will be greatly missed, OM. RIP

On edit: Thank you, Bob, for including the moving tribute to Bill from the staff at WGN-TV.

 

I also worked Bill many times throughout the years. I frequently heard him on 30 meters. As a matter of fact, I heard him just several weeks ago and was thinking what a great and dedicated CW operator he was. When there weren't many signals on the band he was one of the few that I would hear. RIP, Bill.

 

One of my first CW rag chews after getting re-licensed in 2017. RIP!

 

William F. Crane, W9ZN SK
Bill "Butterball" Ford Crane
Chicago, Illinois
July 5, 1939 - October 26, 2023
Obituary
An obituary is not available at this time for Bill "Butterball" Ford Crane. We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our Tribute Wall.
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/29780432/william-ford-crane/wall

 

I had the pleasure of working him a number of times on cw....a great cw op and nice guy...Im sad to hear of his passing.
RIP Bill....thanks for the nice chats that we had.

 

Heartbroken to hear Bill passed, what a wonderful man and operator. He was always encouraging and so modest. I am very sad to hear he is gone. Rest in Peace Bill. W4WEL

 

I am also very sad to hear this news. He always had a great signal here, and I enjoyed many ragchews with him.

 

Oh my... What a loss to ham radio.
I worked Bill many times over the years. I recently started getting my station together after a multi-year respite due to a move. Thinking about getting back on the air I was immediately reminded of Bill, looking forward to another pleasurable QSO.
Well, no longer.
Bill had a wonderful signal on 40m, often one of the clearest at night here in R. I. He also had a great fist, consistently sending perfect CW.
Finally, most importantly, Bill was always a gentleman.

RIP kind OM 73.

Mark W1EOF

 

Well Damn ! - I've heard & worked Bill many times over the last 62 years & the airways, somehow, just won't be the same.

I loved hearing him go into his "Ben's Best Bent Wire..." warm-up spiel on CW.

I gotta hear it just one more time:



"Fair Winds & Following Seas" Shipmate & Fellow Broadcaster - You've finally embarked on your 'Twilight Cruise' & signed W9ZN SK CL dit dit
We'll miss you...

Steve / W5BIB

 

Just thinking the other day I had not heard Bill on 30 meters.
We worked each other dozens of times, I would always ask
how the "windy city" was doing and was he still holding
WGN together.
"Only one life , will soon be past
Only what's done for Christ shall last."
Rev. Fred Thomson, W3BKR

 

So sad to read this.

Bill was a great guy and a skilled CW op. Worked him on 40 and heard him many times.

73 es RIP Bill de Jim, N2EY

 

Tragic. I worked Bill many times, both QRQ and QRS using straight keys.

A fine gentleman, great ham and the best CW fist I have ever heard. He will be missed. I will be thinking of him on SKN this year…