|
A Newspaper in article in 1983
carried this Quote from a little girl "Hey, Daddy, there's Abe Lincoln".
That same Article told about Bill winning the look-alike contest in
Hodgenville, Kentucky for the 4th time in 5 years. About the only presenter
to beat Bill in one of those contests was Harry Hahn who had won the year
before and had to sit out because of a rule that the winner had to sit out a
year after winning.
 He
attended Magnolia High School in Hardin County Kentucky and at 19 years old
entered the Army. Later he moved to Louisville where he was
employed by the Pepsi Cola Bottling Co after working for a cooperage. For 20
years he operated his own drywall company and retired in 1983.
Just 5 years before that, His Grandson Timmy Welch, who was 11 at
the time, Said "Papaw, if you take off your glasses and moustache, you'll
look like Lincoln". Bill went on to tell the reporter that "Timmy was
at the contest in Hodgenville in 1982 dressed as Lincoln too. Timmy was
killed in an automobile accident just a few weeks after that contest.
He went on and stressed that the competition wasn't the main
reason for putting on the somber black clothing. "The main thing about
Lincoln is his honesty". He said that "I really enjoy portraying him due to
the fact that he was such a man of honesty, I very seldom get any kind of
smart remark when I appear as Lincoln, people have respect for him"
Bill rented his suit in 1978 when he was 56 years old and won the
very first time he entered the Hodgenville contest. When he won the
following year, they instituted a rule that you couldn't enter again the
first year after you won. He won eight times before he decided that in
fairness, he shouldn't enter the contest there any more. So they made him
grand marshal of what has become the Lincoln Days Fall Festival the second
week in October.
At right is a picture of Bill using his pocket watch to time speeches for
the Lincoln Look-Alike contestants in the October 2002 contest in
Hodgenville Kentucky.
As the Webmaster for the Lincoln Presenters, I asked other presenters for
information about this man that we seemed to all admire. I didn't know him
very well and I found out that few did. I did find out that every presenter
had a good thought about him. Ralph Borror, Webmaster
Dear Lincoln Presenters,
We thank you for all your loving thoughts and prayers that were so
graciously extended to our family. The flowers were beautiful. All of
you were so special to Bill and he enjoyed taking part in all the
events. You have our heartfelt thanks.
Beulah Sublett and family. |
Rick
Miller said "My recollection of Bill Sublett came from the Beckley
convention when he attended post surgery, I believe-it was my first ALP
convention and I was awed that the friendship and camaraderie of this group
was so important to Bill....a very Abelike quality.".
Cliff Howard "Bill Sublett was a family man,
with a constant smile, and a generous heart. He was willing to help anyone
whose path he crossed who needed help"
VP Stan Wernz "My recollections of
Bill come from our first meeting (at Hodgenville) in the mid 90's. I looked
at his leathery face and saw a man who had experienced much along the trials
of life. In his greeting was a smile that spoke volumes about the expression
of welcome in his words. In his eyes I saw a twinkle that said he had lots
of joy in what he was doing and in observations of what his colleagues were
doing. In looking behind this countenance, through conversations and
observations of my own, I learned to know very briefly a role model so much
like Lincoln - filled with faith, hope, compassion and love. He was a joy to
be around, making strangers feel like "one of the family" in his quiet,
unassuming way". Bill will be missed by each of us; he blessed us all,
perhaps in different ways.
Don Ancell "I remember that he always
had a smile for everyone, and a great Lincoln wit to go along with it. I
really enjoyed listening to him talk at our conventions.
Homer Sewell "I didn't know him that
well so I will pass except to say he was a "grand Ole ABE" and will be
missed by all of us who tried to emulate him.
Max Daniels "I found Bill not only
Lincolnesque in his appearance, which he certainly was, but even more
importantly, he was much like Lincoln in his personality. He was willing to
listen to any of the new Lincoln presenters, such as myself, and would offer
advice only when asked for it. I always found his advice to be very wise and
helpful.
William Peck "I remember the day at the
Burbank convention that we took Bill Sublett to dinner and he had his
"first" taste of Mexican food. He was not only delighted at this tasting but
had that twinkle in his eye. He will be remembered by us all".
President Dan Bassuk "Bill Sublett
became a Lincoln presenter in 1977. He took first place in the Lincoln
Look-alike contest in Hodgenville in 1983, beating Glenn Schnizlein (2nd
place), Jim Sayre (3rd place) and several others. Bill won 8 out of 9
Lincoln look-alike contests in Kentucky. He joined the Association of
Lincoln Presenters in 1992, attended just about all of our conventions and
won the award for the Best Abraham Lincoln in 1999. On last years Christmas
card Bill wrote "For all the things done in honor of Abraham Lincoln, thanks
for bringing us together." He signed his card Bill Sublett and A. Lincoln,
and his Lincoln signature was in Lincoln's own hand. Even with 155 Abe
Lincolns, it will not be possible to replace Bill Sublett. We will miss his
adorable smile here below, but I take comfort knowing that Bill is enjoying
the heavenly music of Johnny Cash up above".
Jim Sayre "Our first meeting was
twenty years past, with each meeting our friendship grew stronger. Together
we have traveled this great country. Precious memories flood my mind as I
reminisce the happy time with Bill and Beulah. Many times Mary and I have
visited in the Sublett's home and they in ours. I shall long remember the
eyes that had a twinkle the smile that was usually present. His favorite
meal was a Beulahburger. I do not believe that in our twenty years of time
together Bill having a harsh remark concerning anyone. We have lost a true
man of honor".
Jim Rubin Jim Sayre and I stopped by
in Louisville to visit Bill and Beaulah. I am so very glad we did so. He was
overjoyed..."Got up out of his chair and dragged his oxygen along with him
and saw us to the door. When you say 'With a smile on his face and a twinkle
in his eye' you have described Bill Sublett." Both, smile and twinkle, were
there when Jim Sayre and I stopped by to visit him at his home on August 26.
Two other things stand out in my thoughts of Bill. He attended the 7th
Annual Convention in Beckley even though he was ill. And, I won't forget
what he said to me at Hodgenville just after I won 1st place in the contest,
"Jim. It was the Hat." Bill was an asset to ALP, was well liked and will
sorely be missed.
|
