[singpilot]

Bill, like me, had a knack for being in the right spot at the right time.

He was driving the station wagon that was hauling the trailer that James Dean's 'Little Bastard' was normally on when hauled to races. Yes, it wasn't that day at the intersection of California State 41 and 46.

Bill Hickman was following the Porsche on the way to Monterey that day. He was the first person on the scene right after the wreck. James Dean's nickname for Bill was 'the Big Bastard'.

He did the driving, as Tabby said, doubling for Gene Hackman in the French Connection. He doubled for Roy Scheider in the chase scene for 'The Seven-Ups.' He did the chase scene in 'What's Up, Doc?'

He had stories about all of his work. I remember most of them when I see the scene he was talking about in the movie.

Capricorn One, Electra Glide in Blue, Vanishing Point, The Great Race, The Love Bug, Point Blank.... I could go on and on.

He was a special friend, sorely missed. His wife Maggie still lives in LaQuinta.