MTFCA Forum

Bill Coyle, 54, pasted away last night. He had been an active participant of this forum and a charter member of the Firelands Timeless T's Model T Club, which formed in 2015. Late that year he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He fought it for over seven years.
Bill had a BS Mechanicl Engineering degree. He and his father rebuilt several model ts as well as a few other 1920s cars, which included Babbiting.
Besides autos and tracors, he repaired

He helped me to get my car back on the road after setting for 23 years. He had it running in about 1 hour. Even though I previously drove it for 17 years, I didn't know much about model t's and nothing about the coils. I am grateful for his help

He will be missed by all.

Art Mirtes

We all get older, and we know someday we gotta go meet St Pete, but damn... ALL the good ones are checking out too damned soon. All I can figire is the big man upstairs needs help getting his T's running or something...

Damnit, Bill we here will remember and miss you. You were one of the rare few who, when you posted something, we could take it to the bank. May your pearly bands never need adjusting, and the eternal babbitt flow sweet, clean, and true, until we cal get together in the "big man's" shop and reminisce!

Well said you two, well said. May Bill rest in peace. I don't think that young man..only 54 y.o., could get mad if he hit his thumb with a hammer! He will be missed by all.

54 is way too soon. He will be missed by all who knew him.

A reminder to all of the importance of colonoscopies, prostate exams, breast exams, etc. As a cancer survivor I know personally the importance of early detection.

That's just terrible...
54... wow.
I just turned 58 this week. Makes you really think.

May he rest in peace.

Art, thank you . Bill and I had some off forum communication, after some limited time I too appreciated him for his T knowledge and downright decentcy... Bill Coyle, rest easy my friend .

54… Way too young to go. Sounds like he fit a lot of good living in that short time. Enough to leave a good impression on a lot of folks. Must have been a great fellow I would have liked to have known. RIP, Bill Coyle. Sincerely, Jim Patrick

Bill was a great man and taught me a lot in a very short time. The most valuable lesson he taught me was to appreciate life at 25 MPH. All to often we take things for granted and miss some of the most important things that pass us right by. I met Bill on this forum and later on in person at a local event. I had owned my car for about a year but never really drove it because of my own fight with cancer. He convinced me to get it out of the garage and drive it. We had many great short tours and he introduced me to several other members that also proved to be wonderful folks. He taught me patience. Being a fellow engineer albeit mechanical vs electrical we had some great conversations and he talked me into the idea I needed a lathe if I was going to own a T. He also taught me that owning a lathe and knowing how to use it were completely different things. Although I will never be a machinist I will think of Bill whenever I try to be.

I am going to miss my friend he truly was the brother I never had. RIP Bill.