A pastime of mine is to play online scrabble at http://www.itsyourturn.com with each move we can send messages to the other player.
There I meet many interesting people. In fact everyone I meet no matter what their education or background have aspects of their life that is unique. Much first hand knowledge to help me with my writing research has come from IYT players in Malta (thanks, Jimmy), Canada (thanks Susan and Nat), Saudi Arabia, Australia and all over. One such is Mary Frances who lives in Needville, Texas. She once told me that her husband, Bill, (William Paul Wasson) invented the red colouring used in the LED displays in the first hand held electronic calculator. 
An instrument I used to own and use by Texas Instruments. Bill, being a scientist – a chemist, loved science fiction and Mary Frances would buy him my books and he downloaded our Escape Velocity magazines.
Sadly, Bill passed away yesterday – an era passes with him. Apparently he was attacked by bees and died of anaphylactic shock. You are gone but certainly not forgotten, Bill. My dad died almost exactly a year ago – same name, but nearly two decades older. Dad was an engineer while Bill was a chemist but both worked with hand and brain and both loved science fiction. So much in common I feel I share a bond with Mary Frances. All the best to you in your grief.
A condolence page and guest book is here.
