Just my opinion and its not worth all that much. I remember the contest and it seemed like a great gesture and something fun for the forum. I got to see Bill a few times during the last years of his life here in Phoenix. He was a "different" guy who marched to his own beat.
Bill said he was going to be moving out to Arizona and was going to really get back into the game. He walked up to Scott Frost and I and said he was going to be coming to AZ and he was going to beat Scott even. Bill was dead serious and not kidding around. This was at Derby or something like that I, Scott and I just looked at one another in disbelief. Bill did end up coming out and did play, never the big gambling match with Scott that he barked about.
I know he tried to get back into the mix of playing getting in some one pocket tournaments at Kolby's and some friendly action. I think his failing health and the newer tougher equipment did not allow him to play some serious gambling action like he wanted to as he did in his best years. I did find Bill to be friendly and had some good conversations. I always enjoy talking with the old timers and hearing their stories whether tall tales or not, it's like time traveling.
I remember about 10 years ago Eric Crisp of SugarTree cues said he was going to make me a cue as a sponsor for my doing a live stream in Vegas of Borana and OMGWTF when they played for some coin. I was really excited about it but never got the cue. I don't hold it against him and would not judge him harshly on that because I know many people speak highly of him as a cuemaker and person so he is well regarded. I met him at the event and he seemed like a nice guy, shit happens.
I would not let the cue contest thing from 10 years back define Bill's legacy and outside of the forum in the pool world he does have a good reputation. Not sure if he is in the cue maker hall of fame yet but he should be. I think forgiveness goes a long way. I have my own regrets with Grady and how I gave him the business on here about playing a big money match he barked about when he was in Phoenix. He was at his end and I was being a bit of a prick as I was too short sighted to see what really counted and that is integrity.
RIP Bill. RIP Grady. Eric I am not mad at you.