Spoke with Bob Casey this morning and Donna Casey at noon today…..Billy is resting comfortably at home and is under the careful watch of his family……..At this time the family is requesting no phone calls or visitors until further notice…I’ve started this new topic to keep everyone informed of the Speed man’s condition but we need to leave the Casey family alone to attend to Billy’s needs…………………Thanks…………Don Kauer……….
Thanks for the Update Don….Thanks for keeping us posted on Billy. I know the guys are doing the appropriate thoughts and prayers…Dover guys are ‘family’
Just a little ‘Blast from the Past’ :
…Billy was the 21st person to register on the forum ! since then there’s 854 more since he registered-one of Our ‘ORIGINALS”…heres his exact post :
Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:25 pm
“hi everyone ,bill casey here ,THE SUPER PUMPKIN. i have alot of fond (and some not so fond ) memories of dover .i was there the day it opened in 61 and i was the last winner in modified elim in 76 . a very sad day for many thanks dino for starting this . billy casey”
317 posts by him later -in Oct. he said this:
“……thanks for all the concern … GOD does answer prayers … ….SPEEEEED CASEY’
……………Dino Here, to fill you new guys in ‘-Plump’ is Steve Hale from England …”I was crew man on Bill Casey’s ‘Super Pumpkin’ 57 Chevy during some of it’s time in the UK.I love that car with a passion ” Heres the whole Story:
I know sometimes it’s difficult for the new guys….even the old guys on the forum to find things .I have a pretty good handle on the scope of the posts… So -IF you NEVER Saw this ….It’s priceless,to date 3838 views! 2009 1st Nostalgia Drags Video by Billy’s brother Bob. :
This is the hardest post that I will ever have to make in my life……….My long time fellow racer and VERY close friend has passed peacefully after his fight with a terminal illness….The Speed man went fast just like he did at the racetrack…I KNOW that Billy is with the Lord and can see all of us now…….Love you Billy and after our 40 plus year friendship you have made my life rich and full…I will never forget your laughter and the great times we’ve spent together….I’ll see you when this is all over………………………….Don…………..
We had recieved this message from his brother Bobby ,late Sat. In respect for the family ,I with-held it til now:
“Dino,
Billy was taken to the hospital last evening. He is under Hospice care now.
Billy is heading down his last 1/4 mile now. Sister Judy is there to help Donna through this. Brother Eddie is flying up from Florida on Monday. Daughter Cheryl was brought over today for a visit then I took her for lunch to help explain it all to her. And finally, I will bring our sister Mary over from Poughkeepsie for a visit tomorrow.
He is surrounded by family and in no pain. He sleeps most of the time and the nurses are totally understanding a really great.
While there was a small window of opportunity, I got Donny Kauer on the phone with Billy for a couple of minutes the other day. He was the last person outside family Bill spoke with. After the call, Billy and I reflected on the glory days of Dover and beyond. Everyone has been so kind.
I’ll keep you posted. You guys keep him in your prayers.”
Thanks,
Bobby
……………………………..See ya at the Trophy Booth , Billy…God Speed ,Speed man
Billy,you may be gone,but will ‘never’ be forgotten to many of us who had the ‘golden’ opportunity to know you as a life-long drag racing friend! My thoughts and prayers go out to Billy’s family for there ‘great’ loss.
dino.
don-kauer