Billy had a great sense of humor. Sorry, but it has always been hard for me to call him Wade, even though I had to announce him that way many times. He had one of those dry, sneaky kinds of humor that always would put a smile on the face of anyone within earshot. Billy was humble but proud of what he had accomplished. His prime years were all through the 70's and 80's.
I think it's appropriate now to reminisce a little about the man. I have so many stories I could tell but I'll start with my favorite. I had first met and played Billy during his first road trip to California. He was running with Cuban Joe back then (the early 70's), and hitting all the spots. And believe me Joe knew them all! My poolroom (the Cue Ball in Bakersfield) was on every road man's map back then. The owner (me) will play anyone that walks through the doors and likes to play ten or twenty dollar 9-Ball or $30-50 One Pocket. If you can beat him, he will go off for a few hundred. How do I know this? Danny D. gave me the full report one day, and told me every road man has me on his map (or in his book).
So my old "buddy" Cuban Joe walks in one day accompanied by this quiet, educated looking gentleman. Joe wants to play me some, since he is on his way North. We had played several times before, Banks and One Pocket, and we were a close game. I was not about to turn him down on my home court. So we agreed to play some Short Rack Banks for twenty a game. Joe shares with me that the guy with him is his well heeled backer. And sure enough, when I win a game this guy hands me a twenty and when I lose, Joe tells me to pay the man.
We play for a couple of hours and I win a few games and Joe quits. Normally Joe wouldn't be too happy but he is still all buddy-buddy with me. He gets up close to me at the counter and tells me that his friend is really a rich sucker and likes to bet high playing 9-Ball. He tells me if he can get him to play me, he wants a cut of my winnings. So Joe goes to work on the guy, convincing him that he should play me some $50 9-Ball just for something to do and that it's good practice for him. I'm lathered up and ready to go.
With little fanfare, me and this guy named Billy start right out playing $50 9-Ball, a pretty healthy game back then. I win the first game and think this is going to be an easy score. We go back and forth for a while, and this guy shows some speed, but nothing that is scaring me....yet! He is making some good shots but missing others. It's hard for me to gauge his exact speed, but he does have a respectable stroke. I'm still not too worried and I'm going about my business, trying to make a payday. Meanwhile the guy (Billy) begins asking me to raise the bet. He wants to play for $100 a game. I'm a little hesitant, but Joe encourages me to go for it. He is winking and nodding at me behind the guy's back. So I finally say okay, a hundred is the bet. All of sudden this guy reels off five or six games so fast my head is spinning. BOOM! I just blew like five hundred. I come to my senses and quit. Now the truth slowly comes out. I've been hustled and Joe thinks it's the funniest thing in the world. You would have to know him to understand that's how his mind worked.
We actually went to the breakfast together after I closed the poolroom that night and Billy and I struck up a friendship that lasted from then on. He wanted to know all about what it took to open and run a successful poolroom. He knew that's what he wanted to do, and I had one of the most successful rooms on the entire West Coast at the time. We were both young men in our 20's back then. Part two to come! I love you Billy! I feel too sad right now. Sorry
