Deb Grand
My sympathy and condolences go out to all of the family and friends of Bill's and the WCCO team. I lost my father two weeks ago also to prostate cancer, he was 72 and had battled it for 4 years. It is a great loss for all of you and I wish you the best in your time of recovery.
Beth Coleman
My thoughts and prayers are with Bill's immediate family and WCCO family during this difficult time.
I grew up watching Bill on the news and I had a crush on him when I was around
7 years old. I do believe I even sent a note to him at the news station proclaiming my
love for him. In fact, I think he was my very first crush!
Bill will always have a special place in my Minnesota heart.
With my sincerest sympathies,
Beth Coleman
Walt Wozniak
I think Bill's absence will be noticed for a long time to come. The outpouring of family and friends this past week told us of a man who was a hard worker, selfless, and did what he could to help other people shine.
I find it rather ironic, given what we the viewers learned about him this past week, that one of the stories that also made news was the listing of Forbes richest people in the world. I remember once hearing or being told that he who has friends should consider himself a rich person. I somehow feel that if the list were not based on dollars and cents, but on the love of family and friends, we would see Bill Carlson's name at or near the top of that list.
Walt Wozniak
Lakeville
Ruth Dodson
For several years I worked out of my home and Bill Carlson was my motivation to stop for lunch and the news. WCCO's light has burned a bit dimmer these past several months without Bill. He delivered the news in a manner that was like a good friend telling you what you needed to know (not like a performer trying to entertain you with sensational stories or like a promotion-starved journalist trying too hard to break the big story, as is so often the case today.) His movie reviews were always right on. Again he was letting us know what the movie was so we could decide if we wanted to spend $7.50 on it or not and if we should bring our kids or not. He wasn't trying to show us how clever he was or how he was so much smarter than the people who made the movie, as critics are wont to do. His celebrity interviews were really the only ones worth watching. Rather than ask the mundane questions, he was like a friend talking to a friend, showing us what this person was like and why this person was worthy of a few minutes of our attention. Even though I'm allergic to animals, his spots with the Humane Societies always made me feel like I should consider adopting a pet.
Yes, 'CCO has been less these past several months, and now the world is less without the likes of Bill Carlson. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.
Ruth Dodson
New Hope
Rev. Jean Halvorson
Friends of WCCO!
In listening to all the heartfelt testimonials about Bill Carlson and him being the soul of 'cco, I think the call letters could aptly be: William Carlson Came Onboard.
He was truly gracious, grateful, grounded, and gentle.
When he was moved around the station, especially when he was taken off the noon report, the side of him that "...didn't seek things for himself" really came to the fore.
He was one of those people that you like when they're here, but you adore when they're gone, because you realize a jewel was among you.
Please accept my sympathies and prayers.
Rev. Jean Halvorson
The Siversons
We were all saddened to hear of Bill's passing. He has touched many lives and done so much for the arts and his community over the years. The tribute Saturday night was an excellent celebration of a wonderful life lived to the fullest. Our condolences go out to Nancy and his families at home and 'CCO.
The Siversons
Faribault, MN
Mary Alice Anderson
For the family of Bill Carlson
I can remember when Bill was first on TV, which is a long time ago. I never meet him, but I always thought what a nice man. Never was he arrogant. Was always so kind in his interviews. If only we had more people like him on TV all our lives would be better.
With Kind Wishes,
Mary Alice Anderson
Victoria Trotter
I am 52 year old and to say that means that Bill and Nancy were always there for me in a sense. Wcco is Minnesota. "cco" was what my family listened to on the radio and what we watched on TV. Bill Carlson and Nancy Nelson were people that I grew up with. And now I feel old because Bill is gone. I remember when Dave Moore died. Late night with Dave was such a favorite show. Just another example of the wonderful people that must have migrated to that station because of something special. I want to thank WCCO for the wonderful tribute to Bill Carlson. I cried the whole 1/2 hour and wished it had been a full hour show. My heart goes out to Nancy and her family, but you are the luckly ones. Not many people have the kind of wonderful life that Bill and Nancy had, which makes you wonder what is wrong with the rest of us??????
Peace be with you,
Victoria Trotter
P.S. Don Shelby is another one of your wonderful people. Along with a whole host of others.......Thank you WCCO for not letting people go just because they are older and not as pretty. WCCO must value the wisdom that these people bring to the news cast. I surely do.
Pat Browne
Nancy and Family,
I am sure that not a single message of condolence, or a single speaker at Bill's memorial service, failed to include the word "kind" to describe Bill's heart. There could be no greater tribute than this recognition of the nature of his deepest being. May that kindness of his continue to console you as you treasure all the memories of his life. Thank you for your willingness to share this kind, kind man with all of us.
Pat Browne
