In the fundraising marching band of impressive and memorable characters Tom and I have known over the years, Bill Dixon was the Drum Major.

A big man, with a booming voice and boisterous laugh, love of life and passionately committed to human dignity and equality, Bill passed away March 22nd at age 81 in Richmond.

It was under Bill’s tenure that Child Fund, then the Christian Children’s Fund, grew to be the largest child sponsorship organization in the world, propelled by his experience, skill and understanding of the world of direct response television.

Last night as Tom and I reminisced about Bill we agreed that he was among the most intelligently demanding clients we had ever worked with in our years at Craver, Mathews, Smith, and one of the most fun.

His curiosity about how to make direct response – both mail and television – perform better and cheaper was unbounded. No one had more skill at tracking down the best television time buys than Bill. No one had more skill at squeezing the last ounce of talent out of this copywriter. And no one was more professional and passionate when it came to advancing humanitarian causes locally, nationally and internationally.

Bill had already packed in a lifetime of exceptional marketing experience by the time he arrived at Child Fund in 1990 as Director of Development, later moving up to the post of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

He knew broadcasting. He began his career as a comedy writer with the NBC Tonight Show. He wrote for comedian Joey Bishop and served as producer for the Perry Como television show.

He knew marketing. In 1960 he joined Sylvania GTE – now Verizon – where for 26 years he worked in entertainment products, communications and advertising as Vice President, Corporate Marketing.

He knew how to advance causes and movements. In 1987 he came out of retirement to accept a post as Vice President, Development with Save the Children and four years later moved on to Child Fund.

Bill didn’t quit when he next retired from Child Fund. He went on to serve on the boards of Henrico Doctors Hospital, the World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond, and the Family and Children’s Trust Fund.

An Eagle Scout, a lifelong Democrat, and passionate Giants fan, Bill is survived by his wife, the former Violet Opalka, and his three children – Gwen Porter of Chicago, Mark and Scott Dixon of New York City, his sister Madelyn Woolnough of Tom’s River, N.J. and four grandchildren. A service celebrating Bill’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, 3601 Seminary Avenue in Richmond.

So long Bill. Our gratitude for all you’ve done. We’ll never forget you.

Roger