KCSB is mourning the loss of Bill “Billy Clarke” Savoy, who passed away yesterday morning after a brief but valiant fight with cancer. Bill, better known to KCSB listeners as Billy Clarke and the host of Music Soup, would play an amazing assortment of music, much of it found at garage sales, including blues, country, rock and things which defy genre categories. Often on Thursday nights he was joined by other DJ’s and they would talk about the music, good, bad and indifferent. And once a month, he liked to have people read their poetry during the program.
Bill was also a dedicated volunteer behind the scenes, participating in numerous KCSB projects, including editing audio for the Santa Barbara Lecture Series.
KCSB would like to extend our condolences to Bill’s family, friends and listeners. Bill will, most certainly, be missed by many.
I miss you already.
I love you Dad. My heart is broken and my soul is empty.
You were one of the most caring people I ever met. You will be missed Bill. You remind me every day to live more, do more, and be sure to tell family and friends you love them.
To the Savoy Family – I met Bill years ago due to my affiliation with Endowment for Youth Committee – Bill’s son Grant Savoy received a scholarship through the organization – Once I became Executive Director – Bill and I stayed in contact – he was such a dear sweet soul – he will be missed so much – my condolescences to the family – what a loss – my prayers and thoughts will be with you – I will always remember his sweet smile and his great laugh!
We, at KCSB, and listeners of KCSB are family. We have lost a brother and our hearts are bowed but not broken. Bill, you will live with all of us forever. To Bill’s family our prayers are with you and your loss is with us all.
Leo Schumaker-”Bluesland”
I didn’t know Bill well but sometimes he would follow me on the air and over time I learned something about his broad musical interests and his keen interest in the world around him. Many condolences to his family and friends.
Dick Flacks
Bill was so interested in the artistically unique; things most people wouldn’t notice hidden in the nooks and crannies. He looked for and supported these qualities in people too. Like in the Velveteen Rabbit, he helped make us all a little more real by showing genuine interest. His open heart was apparent with each of our too few encounters.
My condolences to Bill’s family.
“Bill, I wish I had gotten to know you better.”
Kimberly Ford
It’s Thursday night and Billy’s spirit is with us. I’m waiting for the rain, to wash away our sorrow tonight. Blessings on Billy and his family.
As I sit here listening to The Grateful Dead my thoughts turn to Bill. Emotions are running high to be sure. The Grateful Dead was the antithesis to what Bill would play on his show “Music Soup!”. However we both shared the love of Music With a Beat! Sometimes when I would play the Dead late on my show Bill would call and say “I know this is the Grateful Dead you are playing, is it only a 20 minute jam”? And we would both have a good laugh! KCSB not only brought Bill and I together but we became very close friends in a very short time. Two brothers from a DIFFERENT mother! Thanks to KCSB for being the vehicle that developed such a bond between two adult men. I miss my friend so much that it hurts.
I feel the great loss to others with the passing of this wonderful man. Bill Savoy was not a complicated person and kept his life simple and true. Who could have imagined there would be so many tears. We all miss him so very much.
i love you dad, its been a yr and a half and it feels like yester day, i will alway be in your debt, you made me the man that i am. me and jared will always have you to look up to no matter where you are. i love you dad, i love you