Picture Taken Of Bill On Tuesday
Who is Bill DeMaris and why is our ‘Open’ named after him?
Bill DeMaris was a decades long, dedicated member of the Inland Empire Bass Club. He served as the Vice-President of the Club for longer than even he could remember. Bill was a great angler recognized just about everywhere in the Northwest. He was one of the members responsible for development of the Club mission statement. He lived that mission in everything he did.
First and foremost Bill was a family man. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren and made a point of sharing his love of life with them and the fortunate members of the Inland Empire Bass Club. Bill took extra interest in fostering the interests of our Club’s junior anglers – always giving them baits from his Live Line Baits company – sharing fishing techniques and even sometimes sharing his favorite fishing spots.
Bill passed away at the age of 59, in November of 2008, due to an unfortunate accident and fall from a ladder in his garage. No one from the Club, his family or the Northwest will ever forget him and to make sure of it the Club Board of Directors decided to name their biggest fund raising event after him. The tournament used to be called the “Pend Oreille Invitational” – the fitting rename is the “Bill DeMaris Memorial Open on the Pend Oreille River”. Over the years it will probably become known as “The DeMaris”. Bill would have liked that. In this way, among many others, Bill will always be with us. A part of the Club, a great angler and a great supportive friend.
Just be sure, if you fish this tournament, to “stay out of Bill’s slough”!
Joel Nania - Inland Empire Bass Club