Bill Poole died on October 21, 2009. What a hunter, fisherman and inspiring friend!
Bill was a sportsman hero. He was genuinely a man’s man and a leader among men. He could have excelled in anything he chose. He definitely had a zest for hunting, fishing and life. Nothing I can state here would begin to express the full measure of Bill Poole, his amazing life or my respect for him.
Bill was a very dear friend and loyal supporter of Conservation Force. He always had sincere, sage advice and, believe me, I listened. He was my kind of guy, and I am not sure he did not engender a sense of camaraderie and kindred spirit in all fellow hunters and fishermen that met him. He was most definitely “one of us.”
We shared a passion for elephant, brown bear and sheep hunting. His strong ethic led him to pass more game than he shot, but he made no apology for his passion for hunting, fishing and life. (For example, in more than over 40 bear hunts, he only took five brown bear.)
Bill was awarded the Conklin Award in 2008, the real “tough guy” award, and held the Triple Slam. He and his wife, Ingrid, a Diana Award winner, formed the San Diego Chapter of SCI and were original $100,000 SCI Legacy Fund donors/members. As much as he excelled in the hunting world, he was the recognized leader of the recreational fishing industry in Southern California and Mexico. His latest vessel, the 124-foot EXCEL is the largest, most luxurious long-range sportfisher in the world, one of more than 10 he built, owned and operated.
The remarkable life and sportfishing legacy of “Captain” Bill Poole is told in Fish or Cut Bait, available for purchase online at www.fish orcutbait.net. The book proceeds go to The Bill and Ingrid Poole Foundation, which was formed by those two wonderful people for the sole purpose of providing fishing and hunting opportunities for deserving youth.
Bill was a man of exemplary good character. His word was his bond. You could not help but like and want to emulate him. He looked like a movie star (some said Errol Flynn) and lived life like “Superman” - to life’s fullest. He was 87 and died of lung cancer. One of his many, many friends described him as being “a lion of a man.” He was. He hunted with vigor until nearly the very end with the appetite and enthusiasm of a boy. It will not be the same without him. We are so very glad to have known him and been his friend. – John J. Jackson, III.
