A few years ago, we met Debbie and Bill through a AAA cruise to the Bahamas. As we rode on the bus to the Baltimore port, my wife Sherri and I started conversing with the very outgoing Bill and Debbie Phipps. We took to them easily and Debbie said it was like we have known them for years. Bill talked about everything and had plenty of stories of his past employers, his childhood and his military service. He talked about his family and showcased his "once auditioned for the Eagles cheerleaders" wife, Debbie. We got to know them well and learned that they were along with Bill's boss and friends, Jim and Helen Harris. We stayed in touch with all of them after the cruise and got together with them a few times afterward. We then went on another cruise with them last May. We enjoyed being with Bill and Debbie, as well as Jim and Helen, and we know they enjoyed us also. Bill may have stood another head taller than I, but I loved to pick on him...and Debbie enjoyed the way I would sometimes have him speechless. We were trying to get together with them again come this Spring, but the good Lord has other plans for Bill. May he rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We will miss Bill. I know that if I want to talk to him...I just have to look up like I always had to.