|
The Bill Bittle Memorial Garden began on the day of
his memorial service in November 1999. Bill found many close
friends in his retirement years by starting the Palm Society
of South Texas in 1996. Not all of realized how accomplished
he was in the field of anthropology until letters from his colleagues
were read at his service. The word "encyclopedic" was
mentioned several times. Bill's knowledge was vast, and his wit
was sharp and everpresent.
Those who knew Bill often heard him lament the lack of variety
in palm plantings throughout south Texas where Washingtonia,
Sabals, and Phoenix canariensis tend to prevail. So many more
varieties may be grown here, and Bill's garden was living proof
of that. There could be no better memorial for Bill, a retired
college professor and palm enthusiast, than to educate the general
public by planting unusual palms in a public setting.
Bill's longtime companion Bob Harris was fortunate to find
the perfect public setting for the memorial garden. Through his
volunteer work at the Rockport Center for the Arts, Bob learned
of a sculpture garden being planned for completion within the
foreseeable future. The official dedication of the garden is
scheduled for September 24, 2000, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The
photos below show progress made between May and September 2000.
Donations are still being accepted for the memorial, building
up for the purchase of a stone bench dedicated to the founder
of the best palm chapter ever, Bill Bittle. |
