Tom Willfords severe health condition

Tell your Father Butch up in Everett is behind him 110%. Tom has ALL my old Hydro stuff, and even came up to get the last one in person a couple of years ago, along with Phil and Dee Morris. Keep us posted as much as you can. Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Definitely. Tom was one of those guys that would just put a smile on your face as soon as you ran across him at the meets... one of the friendliest and most down-to-earth! I haven't been to meets in years now, but I remember Tom quite well.

 

Very cool picture,Marty.

 

Jason,

Met you and the family when you guys lived in Lakewood and saw dad make his first pass with hand controls in the Willys at Fremont... almost cried. You're right, he's a fighter. Just know that everyone in the NW quarter of the state is behind him!

 

I picked up Jason in Portland this morning, we drove up to see Tom. As we approached his room, we were expecting the worst, he was sitting up in bed and visiting Wayne King, (an old AA/FD pilot) and one of Tom's best friends, he looked and sounded GOOD! We visited for about 2 and a half hours, he has some hurdles and complications to overcome, but he is tough, and with your kind thoughts and prayers he will continue his recovery. He said to thank everyone for the outpouring of friendship and concern for his health. When Jason and I entered the hospital, and asked the lady at the front desk what room he was in, she immediately got up and said "I know right where he is" I will take you there. As we walked along she said "he used to Drag Race,right"? He certainly hasn't lost his charm with the ladies, several nurses stopped in, just to see him, one of them sounded "giddy" that he was going to move back to her floor tomorrow. When he moves to the other floor, he will be able to use his lap top, and get back to communication, and follow along here on the HAMB.

 

glad to hear hes feeling better!

 

That good news marty give tom My best Trouble

 

That is good news Marty. I planned to call him today again but thought I would give him an extra day. I will call tomorrow. Thanks for the update.

 

Awesome! Great news!

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I think we all knew that Tom had it in him. My God, what great news.
Mike

 

Just talked with Ken K. He said take a look at Marty Stove latest on Willford. WOW! I was so happy Marty to hear you and Jason came up, and enjoyed some special time with Tom, and the fact he's CHARMING all those nurses with his SMILE & ATTITUDE. He's an incredible guy!
I'm sorry I couldn't make the hookup with you both. You know where I was. In the Hospital myself. MAGOO

 

Kenny, I think all us old GASSER Guys have Health issues , Something has come loose in my Aftermarket titanium hip,Right in the middle of cherry harvest ! I think the only hope is Dope !! sure glad Tom is doing well !! Chris

 

Tell your dad "Stan the plaque man" from L.A. says hi, and that I hope he gets better soon!

 

I had a nice chat with Tom on the phone yesterday. He sounded pretty good. I could not get a long term prognosis from him but the VA is treating him fine and he's getting good care. They are working through multiple issues. He was taking chemo but has decided to stop because it was making him so sick. He has bladder cancer so I do not know if there is anything that can be done about it other than manage the pain. He is still having bad back pain from a fracture in his back that was found.(Has no idea how that happened) Hard to sleep or lay in a bed that much with that kind of pain. Tom is such a great guy and I hate to hear about his misery. Send your positive thoughts his way please however you feel appropriate. He is having some of the same complications my dad had in the hospital and I would not wish them on anybody. Were all pulling hard for you Tom. You have a lot of good friends that care about you. Your one of a kind. Stay strong my friend. Dale

 

Chris,
I can't believe that news about your hip. Most of them I've heard of had GREAT success with these modern day type they came up with over the last three yrs. You may have over done it by lifting heavy things. Knowing you. Well maybe not! LOL
I know you, and also know you and I can't slow down... Willford, you and all the rest of us now older guys just can't do that. Tom, has the GOOD Attitude he's always been famous for. I love that Guy like all of us do. MAGOO

 

Thanks for the update Marty! Sure hope Tom continues to keep his spirits up!

 

I live just down the road from Tom, he has helped me so much over the years with the slow restoration of Kent Keller's old 33 Willys coupe, Shakey Proposition.
Walking into Tom's shop, you are amazed at the amount of stuff he has and he can tell you where and who he bought each part from. Also what car it came off of and who used to own the car it came off of through out the cars life. I think this man knows more about gasser's then any other person there is.
Over the years many people have taken advantage of Tom, (you know who your are and so does Tom) and that is sad! Because Tom is a great guy!
I am proud to say that Tom is one of my "Best Friends"!

 

Saw Tom yesterday at the V.A. Hospital and is doing ok but does have discomfort with his health issues. Contact with friends in person & by phone is a boost to his spirit and fight. Have known Tom since the Bizio Willy's days and have been able to visit & talk gasser history and drag racing in general as I also live South of Tom's residence. His knowledge of the sport is amazing. He thought that he would be able to keep this low key. He has to many friends & connections for that to ever happen. He is truly a great friend.

 

So sorry to hear about Toms health. I send prayers to Him and His family. Sat down to dinner with Tom at the AMOCAT party for a couple hrs last year. Hes a walking dictionary about Gassers and NW racing. I always enjoyed the visits with Him at car or race happenings including CHRR. Hes just a GREAT GUY!! Get well soon Tom it aint over yet.
Fed

 

I first met Tom at the Portland Swap Meet when he was still walking (I am guessing early 80's) and we were both looking for Willy's parts.
Over the years we have bought and sold lots of parts to each other, shared swap meet spaces, and I even filled in for Marty and wrenched on the Bizio Gasser with "The Thumb" at the wheel at SIR about twenty years ago.
As Brian alluded to a few posts back, Tom has helped many racers over the years, loaning them or selling to them parts........ a good portion of them have never paid knowing that Tom is too nice of a guy to shoot them.
Maybe when the dust settles, I will visit a few of them.
I am heading up to see Tom in the a.m. I will post again when I get home Tomorrow night.
Bob Drury

 

Well I just got back from Seattle after spending a couple of hours with Tom and a few of his friends.
Tom was in good spirits (for having been in the asylum for three weeks). and he wouldn't share any drugs with us, so nothing has changed.
Seriously, other than being really weak and fighting a mild cough, he was just good old Tom.
It sounds like they may keep him locked up for a few more weeks (Steroids and Viagra infusions), then he hopes to be up and around.
He is in the V. A. Hospital in Seattle (Google for address), and he may shoot me for saying this: Send him a card or letter, I think it might heal him up faster.
Bob

 

I am so sorry to hear about your Dad--great man and to the sport!! My prayers are with him and family!!

 

"It sounds like they may keep him locked up for a few more weeks (Steroids and Viagra infusions), then he hopes to be up and around."

HEY NOW! Hope the Candystripers are taking good care of him!

Seriously, I've never met Tom, but he sounds like a great guy. Hope he's doing better. My prayers are with him.

 

Hey Jason, it's J.R. long time no talk/see.

Sorry to hear about Tom, tell him that me and Nikki and my dad are thinking of him.

 

I've been trying to get ahold of him for weeks , knew something was up !! Dave Crane called yesterday asking about him . Praying for ya Thomas !!!

 

Called Tom today, sounded pretty good ! Chris

 

Tom is one of my best friends and my prayers have been going out to him and his family during this trying time.

 

Any news?? Chris

 

I consider Tom one of my best friends. I met him by buying an injector from him off ebay. My wife and I drove up to his house and when he saw her walking up we shook hands and started talking. No injector in site. She leaves for the outlet malls and out comes the injector and the money.I was grateful! That night turned into a conversation between Tom my wife and I that's lasted four and a half years.When he calls the house he'll talk to my wife for 45 minutes about her strawberry themed plate collection.And let her know of the next swap meet where she's likely to find more! Last Last year I helped Tom repair a couple of issues with his house and Brian ( Angliagasser ) came to the rescue on the first project. Thank you Brian! The mexican dinners and cold beer after those projects were the best.
And what Angliagasser and onefaststude mentioned in their posts, well, I've heard those stories (trades that were junk,short payments,rich guys that could afford the part but would plead poverty ) and it just pisses me off thinking anybody could do that to this man. Tom is one of the best.
Tim

 

Went and seen Tom today. I wish to God I had good news. All I have to say is I am going to miss my good friend and all his stories.