W7QF 1931 Bremerton, Washington

Bill Johnson W7QF Mid 1960's

Read the interesting message on the card sent to W7ACH: "So ur the guy that dont QRS. WL (well) WL WL. OK Mr. Marconi - 6 Razzberries fer U - Bill. Dont QSL.

Email rcvd June 2010:
By way of introductions, my name is Don Stanley, KC7CN. I currently live in Jefferson, Oregon. Several months ago, I found your website and a QSL card from W7QF. I have reason to believe, this QSL was from my friend Bill Johnson. I met Bill in the late 60's, and we were friends until he passed away. I'm sorry to say, it's been so long ago now, that I don't remember the date. In those years, we both worked for Rodgers Organ Company, in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Bill was the person that encouraged me to get a ham license. He had a General class license, and wanted to upgrade to Advanced. I got my novice license, WN7OQC on 04/14/70, and we later took the Advanced test together. After Bill passed away, his wife Chorine invited my wife and I to come visit her. She wanted to give me Bill's original ham license as a keepsake. Ironically, she passed away within 6 months of Bill's death. Bill had a son, but we lost contact with the family over the years.

The document is on Form 760 and is titled License to Radio Operator, Amateur Second Grade. It is signed by R B Carey (notary public), and is stamped with the Notary Public stamp. The date is April, A. D. 1923. It also states that Bill's place of birth is Deward Mich.

In all the years that I knew Bill, I don't remember where he lived before we met, but the "6 Razzberries" comment on your QSL card sounds like something he would say.

PS. I see Bill's old call sign is now assigned to Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society, 114 Woodbine Avenue. Merchantville, NJ 08109. The man that had his call prior to that lived in Florida, and was into light houses, before he passed away.

QSL SM5LNE Collection
Info Photo & License courtesy of KC7CN