Posted on 03/19/2011 5:45:57 PM PDT by fred2008
I have not found any English language sources regarding this patriot of Panama.
Freepers everywhere would have loved to meet a real man. One who stood up to Manuel "Pizza Face" Noriega and you may recall his famous photo wearing a blood stained shirt fighting off a kid. That kid was one of Noriega's goons. And yes, "Billy" told me that he clocked the kid but good. Truly a remarkable man and life.
One morning, he actually flipped the bird to one of Noriega's helicopter gunships hovering right outside his apartment in the Paitilla neighborhood of Panama City. They couldn't believe it and flew off.
I know there are a few Freepers here in Panama.
(Mods, please move where you see fit.)
Mods, please change date to 3/19/2011. Could have sworn I entered 3 but we are all a bit upset down here at this news.
R.I.P. Billy Ford
RIP.
I was working on General Thurmond’s staff the night they nabbed Noriega. Sorry to see Billy Ford’s gone. QEPD, Billy.
Good Grief!!!
I didn’t know Billy died last night.
I would go to his funeral, but the parking situation would be impossible because of where the funeral is being held.
He spoke perfect/flawless/without an accent American English. He, like the rest of his Ford cousins, went through our Canal Zone school system and were well versed in how the U.S. worked.
“One who stood up to Manuel “Pizza Face” Noriega and you may recall his famous photo wearing a blood stained shirt fighting off a kid.”
No, not quite. His bodyguard had been shot (by a Noriega goon) and he was cradling the bleeding body in his arms.
http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20070508181225662
Unfortunately, I can’t find the photo of that…just an article.
It was truly awful!!!!!
Thank you for the sad heads up.
My best to you.
You are welcome.
Yep, the blood was from his bodyguard. That was quite a story he told at our Navy League meeting last year.
My wife asked him about the goon. Billy got his licks in on that little SOB :-)
He was quite a character and a joy to get to know a little.
Crumbs!!!
I would loved to have been at your Navy League meeting dinner, but I am just a civilian and never was in the military. But I think these organizations welcome those who were not in the military.
Just asking....Does anybody record/type up what guest speakers have to say?
I would love to have a copy of what Billy Ford had to say that evening.
I thought of taking taxi to his funeral. But I really think a taxi will not be able to get anywhere near the church either.
As I am thinking about it, security is going to be awfully tight. President Martinelli will no doubt be there. He doesn’t have Mossad trained bodyguards for entertainment since he keeps whacking the drug dealers, taking tons and tons of their drugs destined for the U.S., and disposing them in bonfires. God bless his courage.
Nothing on the record. We and the speakers like it that way. More open.
Billy's talk was inspirational and retrospective. Very funny too.
FYI: I never served either.
Yeah, Ricky is doing a lot of things however, his approach to politics is too corporate. His style of bargaining with political opponents reflects this. He demands the Sun and the Moon in an abrupt manner. Only when you meet him with force will he back down.
Mind you, we needed a bull in a China shop to break up some of the BS that existed under previous administrations...
Photo found:
http://iconicphotos.wordpress.com/2009/07/04/attack-on-guillermo-ford/
All that blood he is bathed in is not from a “beating.” It is from his bodyguard he had cradled in his arms.
P.S.
Stupid me. I found the photo under “Guillermo,” which is his real name, rather than “Billy.”
As usual, Time Magazine will twist a story for sensation. But actually, the bigger story here was the truth...that he had cradled in his arms his dead/dying bodyguard.
Notice in the photo the chopstick size club the goon was carrying. Deadly no? (sarc)
It is rumored tomorrow is going to be a national day of mourning. I can’t find any confirmation yet.
His death really saddens me. What a hero.
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