[R. Dale Flick]

Steamboating colleagues:
William [Bill] Torner's ashes were laid to rest this past Friday, Sept. 16 in the historic, picturesque Newport Cemetery at 10:00 AM with some ten family and friends attending from S&D at niece Sherrie Torner's invitation. A veteran's gun squad, two representatives from the local VFW affiliate speaking and minister gave a moving eulogy followed by military rifle honors ending with taps sounded from afar. The Thorner plot, just feet east of the Greene and Hughes family burials, beautiful in the September morning light. The simple ceremony carried the diginity of Bill's military service. And those of us attending who served in uniform never fail to be moved by the flag folding, salute, gun honors. Sherrie and family members did well but obvious they will miss Bill greatly. Farewell Bill, you answered the call, stood your duty to our country.

Friday the first time in 50 years I'd stepped in the Newport Cemetery for a memorial service when the DELTA QUEEN landed. Passengers, some crew and officers represented by Capt. Ernest Wagner, walked up for words at the Greene/Hughes plots from Donald T. Wright, E.J. Quinby, Capt. Jesse P. Hughes, Purser Robert McCann. I noted last Friday the childhood home of Capt. Gordon C. Greene still stands near the highway intersection; the most impressive Greenewood farm manicured, spic and span just to the west. A lovelier site could not be found.

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati