The Passing of a NW Icon

Posted by Megan at 4:00 pm Featured, NW, Oregon, Other, Washington

Aug 072012

When you reflect on someone, their life, their personality and their impact you realize what a strong influence some people have. When you look up “crotchety” in the dictionary you were sure to find Bill Petchnick’s scowling face. But it is this same man, who we know that the scowl was equally parts for show as it was for temper, could be considered a NW ATV racing icon. Bill, with his bright button-up shirts and mesh-back trucker hats from before our time – or some of our times – was a staple in the NW as he followed his grandson’s racing from venue to venue. He spent almost every Northwest Quad National manning the flags and never missing a lap. The biggest sponsor Reed Petchnick had, of course in addition to Daddio, has passed away and will be sorely missed by those who knew him. The biggest loss might be for those who never got the chance.

Bill and his wife in 2011 at their granddaughter’s wedding.

I met Bill at the racetrack, like most people did. I didn’t know him well, but I knew enough to know that he was Todd’s dad and Reed’s grandpa, and the Petchnicks’ biggest racing fan. It wasn’t until I started work at Pressco Products when I first gained an understanding of Bill, who introduced himself to me by saying, “Hi, I’m Grandpa. Everyone calls me that. You can too.” And most people did and still do. Bill was a dedicated Grandpa, with photos of Reed and his quad taped to his toolbox. It didn’t take much provoking to get yarded out to Bill’s Ford Van so he could show you Reed’s helmet from when he was 6, or the photo album he kept of Reed. It was filled with photos of little Speedy Reedy racing here and there from the time he was on his 80 almost through to the time that Reed got hurt. He also talked fondly of his granddaughter Jordyn and of course Baxter, the grand-dog-child he so fervently fed Pupperoni at any chance.

Bill also nearly always had some story to tell you. Sitting out at lunch, Bill smoking a cigarette, Pepsi in hand, he once bet the new guy at the shop that he could “jump higher than this trailer.” The rest of us knew better, but the new guy couldn’t resist an old man trying to jump higher than the container we were sitting in and took the bet. Bill jumped just enough off the ground for his toes to clear a blade of grass and said, “Give me five bucks, this trailer can’t jump at all!” Bill was mostly good natured if not a little mischievous. He had one poor kid looking around the shop one time for an “aluminum magnet” until someone politely explained that aluminum is not magnetic, and Bill was pulling your leg.

On the other hand, and the reason why we found Grandpa Bill so crotchety, was he sometimes had a temper. He was fiery at times, occasionally grabbing a tool from out of your hands, sometimes being heard yelling at someone or another. We loved him for it anyway, even if it was sometimes hard to deal with. In general, Grandpa Bill was generous, fun, and took care of business. He loved his family and everyone who knew him was happy to see him accompanying Todd and Reed to the track. He had a unique personality that leaves a hole in many of our lives.

You can see Bill in the foreground, checkered flag in hand, waiting for his grandson to cross the line.

Here are some comments from some folks in our NW ATV community that knew Bill Petchnick. We are all sorry for the loss of him. As my own father’s passing reminds me, “those that live in the hearts of others never die.” Grandpa Bill will certainly live on in the hearts of those fortunate enough to meet him. We would like to invite others who might have a comment or photo of Grandpa Bill to please leave it below this post. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Petchnicks at this difficult time. Godspeed Grandpa Bill!

Joey Cole We’ll miss you Grampa Bill. Thanks for everything, including keeping me out of trouble all those times at the machine shop. May your Pepsi’s be plenty and youre shirts be bright as all hell.

Bryan Martin R.I.P. grandpa Bill. You have been a huge part of quad racing in the northwest. I’ll never forget the memories that have been made with you and all you’re flamed out track shirts. Keep an eye on us out at the track.

Drew Lattimar RIP Grandpa Bill you have been such a big part of my life and so thankful to of been around you as much as I was.

Cole Fite RIP Grampa! You were everyone’s grampa at the track. We loved your hard as nails exterior and your great BIG heart. No one loved to watch Reed ride more than you. We will miss you :’( The Fite family sends the Petchnick family wishes of great memories that will live forever in your hearts and ours. Grampa will always live on because he made a mark on everyone that knew him.

Eric Mott R.I.P. Grandpa Bill. Whether knocking on my trailer door at 5:30 in the morning to get coffee, sporting the original SWAG shirts or just giving advise to my son, Ze’vyer Mott, your presense will be missed. Please continue to look over the quad family, on and off the track. You will always be in our hearts….

Three Two Motorsports Today is a sad day for the northwest quad community. Just heard of the passing of grandpa Bill. A true hero to all that race on 4 wheels in the northwest. Pour some Pepsi out and pay some respect to the original face of northwest quad racing. Godspeed Bill.

Les Engelhart Jr RIP Grandpa Bill!! You will sadly be missed by all….

James Marrison ‎*opens pepsi* here’s to grandpa Bill, rest easy.

Ashley Marie ClintonOh Grandpa Bill, the track will never be the same without you You had such a huge heart and loved everyone at the track. You weren’t just Reeds grandpa, you were everyones You were always the first to give me advice on what I could do better when I was on my Lt80 and you always helped us out after we bought Reeds little 80. It doesn’t seem like almost 9 years ago, it feels like just yesterday. You always brought a huge smile to our faces when we saw you at the track (: I still remember the day you brought Hayley and me two huge bags of all different kinds of racing stickers(: We still have a lot of them too(: Our memories with you at the track were some of the best!(:

You always had a huge smile on your face everywhere you went and no one did a better job at waving the checkered flag like you did!(: We’re all gonna miss you Grandpa This is a huge tragedy for the whole quad family.
We love you Grandpa!♥
Rest in Paradise♥

3 Responses to “The Passing of a NW Icon”

Comments (3)

Tyler Woods says:

August 7, 2012 at 11:29 pm

Rest in peace grandpa Bill you will be missed.

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Owens Family says:

August 7, 2012 at 4:43 pm

Grandpa…….we love you. The track, checkered flag and breakfast will never be the same. You will live forever in our hearts and memories.

Reply
Miriam Gawthorne-Williams says:

August 8, 2012 at 3:02 am

Thanks for that great write up…..what a great man…..Sorry for your loss everyone in the Quad Family.

Reply

3 Responses to “The Passing of a NW Icon”

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