The sad passing of Bill Callahan on December 6, 2019 has no doubt been felt by many, leaving his family and friends to reflect on the sizeable impact he had on those who knew him. He was a big guy, though many would say he bigger than life in many ways.
Bill and I met over 20 years ago at the Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College. There was a crowd surrounding his “Bill-the-Oyster-Man” booth as I heard his distinctive voice telling a story that kept his customers entranced like a tractor beam from the Starship Enterprise. He’d shuck oysters while his rapt audience slurped oysters and listened as Bill spoke of his greatest loves: music, oysters and his wife Anne. He made you feel like his best friend within seconds of meeting him. His smile was as genuine as his stories were enthralling, and for the price of an oyster you could enjoy the one-man show Bill put on wherever he happened to be.
Bill taught high school kids about biology mostly, but he also taught them about life and the importance of environmental issues. Generations of students benefited from having a teacher who cared enough to bring his “A” game to class every day. He was authentic and unpretentious. His students knew he expected them to listen and learn and they did so because he instilled respect. 24 years worth of students received Bill’s message of Peace and Bivalves, the corny gospel that Bill used to connect his heart with the rest of the world.
Ironically, it was his heart that failed him in the end. One of his favorite artists, Neal Young used to sing [it’s] “better to burn out than fade away.” Bill wore his heart out loving people. He was not embarrassed or hesitant to tell people he loved them. Men too. The oyster was the messenger, but Bill’s love was the message. Thanks for serving us through the years. You will be deeply missed. Peace and bivalves, Bill.
