William Bill Wason Obituary, Death; – This week, a key member of the Rolling Thunder Kentucky Chapter 5 died in a crash on Duncannon Lane in Madison County. Now, loved ones are making sure William “Bill” Wason’s name lives on.

“He was true, earnest and honest. He was an invaluable member of our chapter on top of the person that he was,” said Keith Newsome, Vice President of Rolling Thunder Kentucky Chapter 5.

Bill Wason died Wednesday at the age of 72. According to police, Wason was riding his motorcycle near the Buc-ee’s off I-75 in Madison County when he and another vehicle crashed. He died at the scene.

“I said, ‘No. No. Not Bill.’ It’s a gut punch because he was a friend,” Newsome said. Rolling Thunder members Keith Newsome and Brian Amburgey say Bill was an integral part of their chapter’s local and national success. “Rode many miles with Bill Wason. I was fortunate to ride many miles on missions, on MIA escorts, coming home, veterans assistance, but we’d also do fun runs,” Newsome said.

Newsome says Wason died doing what he loved most: giving. “I have no doubt that he was a happy man in those last moments. He was a happy man because he had just given again,” Newsome said. Wason was on his way home from a veteran’s funeral at Camp Nelson when he was tragically killed.

Friends say he was a member of the Honor Guard, Patriot Guard of Kentucky and the treasurer of Rolling Thunder. He was also active in his local VFW and gave to his church, family and country.

“If you needed 50¢ and he had 51¢, he would give you that 51¢. That’s the kind of person Bill was,” said Brian Amburgey, a Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 member.

Just a few months ago, Bill was wrapped in a quilt. The Quilts of Valor Foundation has a mission to cover every service member and veteran with a “quilt of comfort.”

“It meant a lot as it is intended to do. His wife was there, and I believe some grandchildren,” Newsome said. Many hearts, statewide, are now hurting. Friends say Wason taught them to be a servant, but to do so humbly.

“Any time you saw Bill Wason, he was the same. He was friendly, he was nice, he had this little twinkle in his eye, he was always smiling, and he had this very gentle chuckle that you would always hear, and I am going to miss that,” Newsome said.
“Bill would pull that helmet off, and there was his smile. To me, he’s still right here. He’s always going to be here in our hearts, and he will always be part of our chapter,” Amburgey said.

Rolling Thunder will escort Wason to his final resting place at Camp Nelson on Tuesday.

Police say the crash is still under investigation.