"REMEMBERING BILL" by Robert Weil

Bill Ruggie who passed on Nov 26, 2016 was a great friend indeed. 

When I was first attempting to assemble a collection of rifles to photograph for my book, Bill was the first collector to step up and offer his entire collection of Fred Riley guns!!!!  That was a big shot for me considering it was very difficult to convince most of the gun crowd to send theirs.

Bill was a player from the beginning of the revival. He had great taste and amassed a wonderful collection of guns, knives, bags and accouterments. 

His enthusiasm carried over into all his show displays, and also his term as a CLA President.  Our group is a mixed and varied bunch. The makers themselves cannot be fully appreciated or validated without the other side of the coin. And there you had Bill Ruggie.

RIP PAL.

Fred Riley Pistols from "Contemporary Makers" by Robert Weil.

Copy and photos supplied by Robert Weil.

Bill Ruggie

William Huey Ruggie and Gail Ruggie

"Bill" passed away early Saturday morning, November 26, 2016. Bill was born June 19, 1936 in Philadelphia, PA though he considered himself a native Floridian as most of his 80 years were spent in Florida. He graduated from Fort Lauderdale High and went to The University of Florida on the school's first-ever full swimming scholarship. Soon after graduation, Bill moved to Clearwater, FL and opened a State Farm Insurance agency, which he would run for nearly 50 years. Bill was an avid outdoorsman and, among his many diversified interests, a collector of contemporary long rifles, antiques and classic cars. Bill is survived by his wife, Gail; his children, Paige (Johnny) Chassie, Tom (Kim) Ruggie, Kelli Ruggie and Garth (Polly) Ruggie; three grandchildren, Gina, Christopher and Shane; a loving sister, Thene Castle and two nieces, Kim Patterson and Kris Turner.

Eternal rest grant unto Bill, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Published in the Tampa Bay Times on Dec. 4, 2016