William J. Antoniewicz grew up at New Bedford, Massachusetts. Two weeks from his 27th birthday, William accepted an appointment to the Utah Highway Patrol on July 16, 1974. He was assigned to the Port of Entry station at Echo on the Utah-Wyoming border. He drove a marked patrol car from Coalville to the Port of Entry, a distance of 40 miles. On December 8, 1974, Trooper Antoniewicz stopped a speeding vehicle 9 miles east of Echo Junction on I-80. On approach to the vehicle the driver fired two rounds from a .38 caliber revolver, striking Antoniewicz in the left chest and back. Eighteen months later, a suspect was arrested. The first trial resulted in a hung jury. Rather than face a second trial, the suspect pled guilty to a reduced charge of second degree murder. (This info came from a Utah Highway Patrol website.)
I played golf with Bill several times and shared several classes with him. He was always a load of laughs and was really a good guy.
Billy was a great kid with curly hair. He introduced me to caddying at Allendale Country Club. I went to his house many times and was very sad when I found out he had been murdered in 1974. May he rest in peace forever.
Billy was the Batman, and his 62 Impala was the Batmobile. Though I never saw myself as Robin, Billy was my best friend, and the friendship continued past high school.
There's still a lump in my throat from setting a world's speed record in the batmobile. 18 minutes from new bedford to bridgewater!! Miraculously, no cops. Even more miraculously, getting there in one piece. The things we used to do!
Billy married a Miss Taunton, Jean Ladebauche, but the marriage failed, and Billy set out to Utah, where his sister lived. Becoming a state trooper had to be a dream come true for Billy. He was a real "caped crusader" chasing the bad guys. I was appalled and so saddened to learn about his death.
Billy would do ANYTHING for a friend, and I'll always remember him. My father was a commercial fisherman, and often lobster would be in our house. We would fry it in butter and eat it with toast and coffee. And Billy could make each bite last five minutes. He never wanted to swallow it,even though there was plenty more on his plate.
996-2006 was his phone number. Isn't it incredible how certain numbers, like the words to songs, never leave your mind? To call Billy today, you'ld have to dial long distance to heaven. See you again someday Bat.
JEAN FISKE, I REMEMBER WALKING TO SCHOOL WITH BILLY JUST A FEW TIMES. ONE CONVERSATION IS STUCK IN MY MIND, THAT BIG STRONG GUY HAD FOND MEMORIES OF MAKING COOKIES WITH HIS MOM. HE WAS THE SWEETEST MOST WONDERFUL GUY. I WISH HE WAS STILL WITH US.
Susan Pickup (Jones)
Billy,I remember many times in classes with you...always very funny. RIP good buddy. Will miss seeing you next year.
Sue Pickup Buchholz
William Rechter
William J. Antoniewicz grew up at New Bedford, Massachusetts. Two weeks from his 27th birthday, William accepted an appointment to the Utah Highway Patrol on July 16, 1974. He was assigned to the Port of Entry station at Echo on the Utah-Wyoming border. He drove a marked patrol car from Coalville to the Port of Entry, a distance of 40 miles. On December 8, 1974, Trooper Antoniewicz stopped a speeding vehicle 9 miles east of Echo Junction on I-80. On approach to the vehicle the driver fired two rounds from a .38 caliber revolver, striking Antoniewicz in the left chest and back. Eighteen months later, a suspect was arrested. The first trial resulted in a hung jury. Rather than face a second trial, the suspect pled guilty to a reduced charge of second degree murder. (This info came from a Utah Highway Patrol website.)I played golf with Bill several times and shared several classes with him. He was always a load of laughs and was really a good guy.
Raymond Deterra
Billy was a great kid with curly hair. He introduced me to caddying at Allendale Country Club. I went to his house many times and was very sad when I found out he had been murdered in 1974. May he rest in peace forever.Bernard Bendiksen
Billy was the Batman, and his 62 Impala was the Batmobile.Though I never saw myself as Robin, Billy was my best friend, and the friendship continued past high school.
There's still a lump in my throat from setting a world's speed record in the batmobile. 18 minutes from new bedford to bridgewater!! Miraculously, no cops. Even more miraculously, getting there in one piece. The things we used to do!
Billy married a Miss Taunton, Jean Ladebauche, but the marriage failed, and Billy set out to Utah, where his sister lived. Becoming a state trooper had to be a dream come true for Billy. He was a real "caped crusader" chasing the bad guys. I was appalled and so saddened to learn about his death.
Billy would do ANYTHING for a friend, and I'll always remember him. My father was a commercial fisherman, and often lobster would be in our house. We would fry it in butter and eat it with toast and coffee. And Billy could make each bite last five minutes. He never wanted to swallow it,even though there was plenty more on his plate.
996-2006 was his phone number. Isn't it incredible how certain numbers, like the words to songs, never leave your mind? To call Billy today, you'ld have to dial long distance to heaven. See you again someday Bat.
Jean Fiske (Rapoza)
JEAN FISKE, I REMEMBER WALKING TO SCHOOL WITH BILLY JUST A FEW TIMES. ONE CONVERSATION IS STUCK IN MY MIND, THAT BIG STRONG GUY HAD FOND MEMORIES OF MAKING COOKIES WITH HIS MOM. HE WAS THE SWEETEST MOST WONDERFUL GUY. I WISH HE WAS STILL WITH US.