William Gilkerson

CutlassCollector · 25th March 2016, 06:31 PM

A friend in the US has informed me that Bill Gilkerson passed away at the end of last year, and as he is posting on the SFI I will do the same here as I think it appropriate that we mark his passing.

William Gilkerson, author of Boarders Away Vol I & II has passed away after a long illness on Nov 29th 2015. Many of us in the forum community know Bill's work as the standard reference books on early naval weapons. He was an accomplished author, artist, historian and sailor. He will be missed by all those who knew him and shared his love for naval weapons and maritime history.

See Online Obituary at:

http://www.obitsforlife.com/obituary...on-William.php

Rick · 25th March 2016, 07:20 PM

I think of him often; this hangs on a wall in our living room.

Sloop Providence John Paul Jones commanding eludes HM frigate Solebay.

M ELEY · 26th March 2016, 05:19 AM

I'm very sorry to hear of his passing! It seems lately that we are losing so many talented people, not just from our field, but many (musicians, comedians, artists, etc). I guess I'm getting old!

Rick, very nice painting! I'm assuming it's one of Gilkerson's?

Rick · 26th March 2016, 05:58 PM

Yep, it is Mark; but it's a litho edition of 500 signed by the master himself. The painting was commissioned by a Massachusetts defense contractor.
Bill has or had a website with several different prints for sale. He also wrote a couple of novels: Pirates Passage and Ultimate Voyage.

Jim McDougall · 26th March 2016, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I think of him often; this hangs on a wall in our living room.

Sloop Providence John Paul Jones commanding eludes HM frigate Solebay.

That is one of the most beautiful tributes to this amazing artist and author Rick.
As one of the group of maritime enthusiasts here I am also deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. Gilkerson. His references have been the mainstay of the study of all arms nautical, and will remain so as he does indeed 'sail on' with all of us.
Thank you CC for posting this.

Tordenskiold1721 · 28th March 2016, 07:31 PM

Sad to hear of his passing. His books stands in my library and he lives on trough his books that always will be must have reference material on naval weapons.

25th March 2016, 06:31 PM	#1
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 330	William Gilkerson A friend in the US has informed me that Bill Gilkerson passed away at the end of last year, and as he is posting on the SFI I will do the same here as I think it appropriate that we mark his passing. William Gilkerson, author of Boarders Away Vol I & II has passed away after a long illness on Nov 29th 2015. Many of us in the forum community know Bill's work as the standard reference books on early naval weapons. He was an accomplished author, artist, historian and sailor. He will be missed by all those who knew him and shared his love for naval weapons and maritime history. See Online Obituary at: http://www.obitsforlife.com/obituary...on-William.php Last edited by CutlassCollector; 26th March 2016 at 04:34 PM. Reason: Obituary link renew

25th March 2016, 07:20 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,291	Sail On Sailor I think of him often; this hangs on a wall in our living room. Sloop Providence John Paul Jones commanding eludes HM frigate Solebay. Attached Images

26th March 2016, 05:19 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,094	I'm very sorry to hear of his passing! It seems lately that we are losing so many talented people, not just from our field, but many (musicians, comedians, artists, etc). I guess I'm getting old! Rick, very nice painting! I'm assuming it's one of Gilkerson's?

26th March 2016, 05:58 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,291	Yep, it is Mark; but it's a litho edition of 500 signed by the master himself. The painting was commissioned by a Massachusetts defense contractor. Bill has or had a website with several different prints for sale. He also wrote a couple of novels: Pirates Passage and Ultimate Voyage.

28th March 2016, 07:31 PM	#6
Tordenskiold1721 Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 71	Sad to hear of his passing. His books stands in my library and he lives on trough his books that always will be must have reference material on naval weapons.