I remember when Bill Duke moved to Black Ash. I heard he was a gunsmith and I was very interested in guns. He set up shop in the basement/sunroom of his home. Even though I was just a kid he showed me some of his projects. He was a master woodworker and metal worker in the style of the 1960's and 70's including laminating, inletting and checkering wood stocks and building custom guns from the Mauser and Springfield actions that were readily available then. He kind of put up with me nosing around.

   He was a hunter and sometimes our paths crossed in our adjoining woods. He would tell me he could hear me coming for 10 minutes before he saw me in the woods! If you knew him you know that I didn't know if he was serious or not.... I thought I was being quiet!

   To David and the girls know that I am sorry for your loss.

   Tom Mattis