I was fortunate enough back right after Bill Boley passed away to be able to purchase a number of his figures from his collection by way of his wife Charlene. They still reside here with the Ventriloquist Central Collection.
I came upon some very neat pictures of a very young Billy Joe Boley and thought I would share them with all of you. I do know some of you, especially Lee Dean, will remember this fine looking young man. He turned out to be the consumate performer and unfortunately was taken from all of us way too soon.
Enjoy!!!
Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com
***************************************************
Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com
Copyright 2009 by Dan Willinger
NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to: webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com
Thank you, Dan. If you have the Boley letter wish would post it too. Lost all in computer crash last year. Amazing is it not that Hopkinsville, KY is where all the Boleys and Paul Stadelman were from.
Dan,
I corresponded regularly with Bill Boley and I have saved the E Mail where it sent me the famous “Golf Routine” in May of 1999.
He was very gracious to the vent community and I have some press clippings he sent me with an autographed picture.
I thought so much of Bill that I modeled my “Aunt Dottie” figure after his “Aunt Fanny.” This is a Bill Anderson Starter Head that I finished and I also have my “Skidmore J Lush” in honor of “Willie the Drunk.” He was one of a kind and I sure miss him. I would love to see some pictures of the “Dummy Den” if you have them.
Cheers,
Larry Harris – ComicVent
Hey Dan,
Thanks for the memories. I knew Bill for 30 years at the time of his passing. I was 13 when we first met and he was certainly one to help anyone with anything involving vent. I still have tons of photos of Bill and autographed 8 x 10’s and stuff from his shop. A great vent and one of the all time nice guys. Bill passed away about 8 months after my dad and I drove the 6 hours to Hopkinsville to the funeral. What I wouldn’t give for one more afternoon sitting and talking to him.
Gary Koepke
I had purchased a ventriloquist figure when i was in middle school from Bill Boley from his shop in Kentucky. He was great guy and sent me all sorts of fun and interesting things when he was doing cruise ships. In fact I still have figure it was actually made by him if you look thur mouth you can see his card in the inside. He was very friendly guy and was extra pleasant experience to have had contact with a vent. legend like him.