My close and best friend in Second Life, WilliamD Bracken, hadn't logged in for weeks when I started getting worried. I began sending him the usual "hey are you OK?" IMs but no reply. A week went by then a month and still no reply. Sadly, just last week, I got a reply to one of my IMs via email from his real life son letting me know that William had passed away on January 26th. Color me devastated.😢
About William
Will (as I called him most of the time) was funny, kind and a great conversationalist. Whenever we were online at the same time, we'd often spend hours chatting up a storm while dancing at our usual club haunts such as Muddy's, FogBound or Junkyard Blues. Will was also well-known for creating elaborate builds on his home land, especially for Halloween or Christmas. You could also find us hanging out in his hot tub or mine.
I never knew exactly who he was in real life other than his first name and things going on from day-to-day; just as he knew similar things about me. Neither of us felt the need to extend things any further. Regardless, easily 75% of my time in SL was spent with him. I'm pretty sure he was a lot older than me but he never acted like it. (Although his tastes in music mostly involved 60s & 70s music while mine run from the 80s to current stuff.) We both liked listening to the blues from every era which is why we often went to Junkyard.
Will was also the founder and original part owner of Muddy's nightclub in SL (still going strong). It's kind of ironic that I never went to Muddy's when he owned it because I was busy doing things for Blackhearts (like playing occasional hostess and making club themed clothing for them). He had lots of stories about all the personalities and ups and downs from running a club.
What else do I know? Hmmm. Will was always barbequing something in real life. He was eager to explore interesting new places in SL. One of our favorite SIMs was a Japanese island with a lovely forest, various onsens and interesting little hideaways. We also spent a fair amount of time in the HP Lovecraft SIM, Innsmouth. He was quick to give virtual massages (which, believe it or not, often helped). And finally, he never went mesh. I think it was a badge of honor for him that for as long as he was in SL, his shape and haircut were pretty much pure Linden OEM old school. We actually me each other through the inworld HUD game Tiny Empires about 8 years ago back when our mutual queendom (Hirilorn now Hirilorn Rising) used to hold parties. After a few dates (yes they exist in SL), we became regular besties.
RIP WilliamD Bracken. I miss you a lot. May your afterlife be as fun as your Second Life and real life.
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| WilliamD & Snickers on Halloween Ride |
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| Chilling by the pool. |
