This section looks at Bill’s personal appearances at fundraisers, military reunions, galas and TV show conventions.
“Prince Valliant” Film Premier (May 1954): Bill and his first wife, Carol Keyser, attended the film premier at The Roxy Theatre in New York City. They were photographed with Richard Widmark and his wife. Bill was sporting white hair which may have been for one of his early tv roles.
Live Reading of Kipling(Dec. 1959): Bill and other actors read passages from the author. The group appeared at the YMCA/YWHA in New York.
College Tours(1978): Besides Bill’s one-man Thurber and Pyle shows, Bill traveled to colleges reading passages from the greats like Walt Whitman and Ernest Hemingway.
The Southern California Oral Interpretation Festival(1970s or 1980s): Bill performed at this festival held for three days at Saddleback Community College. Critics and faculty also attended as students presented their performances.
American Ireland Fund Heritage Awards Honoring Angela Lansbury(1993): Bill appeared at the dinner honoring his good friend.
Re-opening of the Beverly Hills Hotel (June 1995): Bill showed up on the red carpet with his wife.
Autograph Show at The Beverly Garland Holiday Inn (1997): Bill appeared at the show in Hollywood signing autographs. He sat next to Shelia McCrae who played his wife in the tv show “Parenthood.”
Starbase 21 Autograph Show (2000): Bill appeared at this Star Trek-named comic book store in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was there to sign autographs and related a funny blooper that occurred on “The Farmer’s Daughter.”
Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters Induction Ceremony of Beverly Garland(2001): Bill appeared at the ceremony along with fellow actors Peter Graves and Joseph Campanella whom Bill worked with on several occasions. Bill worked with Beverly on several occassions.
All Airborne Awards(2000s?): According to a paratrooper, Bill had appeared at one of the awards ceremonies in Atlanta. The paratrooper mentioned he missed not having a chance to meet Bill.
Twilight Zone Reunion & Convention(2002): Bill made an appearance to sign autographs in honor of his two appearances in “The Twilight Zone.” Bill happily made appearances at Sci-Fi conventions related to “The Twilight Zone” and “Star Trek.”
Mystery Writers of America Event Honoring William Link(2002): Bill appeared at this event where William Link was named president of the MWA. Link was the creator of many tv mysteries like “Columbo” and “Murder, She Wrote.”
The Northeast Academy of Legal Studies Business (2002): Bill appeared at this seminar in Cooperstown, NY. He was joined by attorney Sharlene McEvoy, who worked with him on his autobiography. They presented their paper on show business law.
Dolan School of Business (2002): Bill was a guest lecturer in Sharlene McEvoy’s business law class. The topics included ageism, sexism, agents and their involvement in certain media companies.
The Edgars Banquet(2004): Each year the Mystery Writers of America honor writers with an Edgar (Poe) Award. In 2004, Bill was MC for the banquet and he even wore his favorite nautical flag tie.
Twilight Zone Reunion & Convention II at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn (2004): Bill attended this second convention at the legendary Hollywood hotel. He also met up with former “To Kill a Mockingbird” cast member Mary Badham who played Scout.
Shore Leave: Star Trek Convention (2005): Bill appeared at this convention in Baltimore, Maryland. He made several appearances at Sci-Fi conventions and even conveyed a story about William Shatner walking around in a cosplay costume so no one would recognize him. Shatner went up to Bill to talk about his appearance in The Doomsday Machine. At the end, Windom let on that he knew it was Shatner all along!
508th Reunions: Bill made various appearances at reunions for his paratrooper unit from World War II. He even contributed to the unit’s news letter.