Tribute to a Karting "Friend"

Michael Maroney · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 89

"My friend Mr. Bill"

Many years ago I pulled up to Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California early Friday morning to run an SCCA event on the "Big Track" with my father. Along with us was my son, a very young Miles Maroney, who had a short time before gotten a Kid Kart to practice with while us big Maroney's raced, which is something I have done since I could walk and that is what this family does. That weekend, it became clear when we pulled in that there was something going on over at the Kart track and I simply told a very disappointed Miles that it looked like he wouldn't be able to practice because there was a race or something being held there ... Miles looked at me and said, "then I want to race, dad" ... My response was that I didn't know anything about it, had to pay attention to my own race weekend and didn't know if it was the right time because he had never raced and I needed more time to do it "right" and make sure he was ready. (More like make sure I was ready for my son to "race" because I had not thought about that at all yet). As we started to unload the race trailer, Miles disappeared and reappeared after a short while with another young kid who's name was Daniel. Miles said, "dad, this is Daniel, come with me to meet his dad, he helps with the race and he will help me race ...he wants to meet you to tell you it's OK" ... I just shook my head in disbelief and followed these two little dudes across the lot to the Kart track paddock, coming upon a pretty "seasoned" Toy Hauler, hooked up to an old GMC pickup with stuff everywhere, Karts, tires, tools, STUFF. It was clear there was already a lot going on in this pit!!!

There I was introduced by Miles and Daniel to Daniel's dad, "Mr. Bill" ... Bill Oncea. Bill was a tough looking, no nonsense guy and seemed like he was right out of a Rambo movie, sleeveless (cut off, not store bought) T-Shirt, Combat Boots, Military Shorts and he had this look on his face like, "look at this guy" (I'm talking about ME!) So he's looking me up and down and says as he extends his hand, "I'm Bill and I run the Kid Kart program at Saugus Speedway and I help out these guys here at Gold Coast Karters too. I will help you do this if you want Miles to race this weekend ...this is a rain date make up, it is the best local Karting organization around and the guy who runs it, Rick Brown, is very fair and they will be good to you." I replied, "I don't know anything about this, don't have much time to pay attention to this and maybe it's not a good idea, and ..." Bill cuts me off mid sentence and says, "look, this is a great group of people, both Daniel and my older son Billy race these Karts and your son will have a great time and we will help you, just go get Miles Kart and bring it here so I can take a look at it", and off I walked, again shaking my head thinking, what am I doing!!! But, my son wanted to do this and now I was backed into a corner as he had gotten the Oncea's to gang up on me and after all, I was racing to with my dad too ... So, I rolled up to the Toy Hauler with Miles Kid Kart ..a box stock Tony Kart with Comer 50cc ... Bill takes one look and starts laughing. "Well, this is going to take some work, but I think I have everything, so just leave the Kart with me tonight and when you get here tomorrow morning, it will be ready to go ..now go over and sign up, pay the entry and come back" ... When I got back, I was introduced to Bill's wife Jayne and their older son, Billy. Jayne was known as "Fast Jayne" because she was a sports photographer for the LA Times and I came to find out that Billy was one of the faster older boys and it was a true family affair. I felt like I was in good hands.

Willow Springs is about an hour from our home, so we went home that night, having left Miles Kart with Bill and his family who were staying at the track and it was clear he had a lot of work to do with not only his two kids, but now Miles Maroney, to get ready for his first race ever! Walking up to Bill's pit area early Saturday morning, I saw what looked like Miles Kart, but almost everything had been changed, Tires, wheels, gear, diving weights all over the seat, air cleaner and so on ... Bill had changed everything to make it race "legal" for the "Kid Kart" class, had already talked to race organizer Rick Brown, who would let Miles start at the back of the pack and we applied the last touches to get Miles ready, a big black "X" in electrical tape on his helmet to let everyone know he was a rookie.

That day is as vivid in my mind now as it was that Sunday late afternoon as us three generations of Maroney "racers" left Willow Springs, Miles having raced his first ever Kart race and I knew that me and Mr. Bill would be friends "forever" ...and we are. That day and what Bill gave to me are a highlight of my life, as I can still picture the smile on my son's face as we drove down the road ... moments later, Miles was sleeping with his head on top of his helmet and his arms wrapped around it, as if he didn't want to let it go. For the next number of years, The Maroneys were parked next to Mr. Bill and the Onceas at race tracks all over Southern California pretty much every weekend. The focus now shifted from dad to Miles as he tended to his racing business and dad became his mechanic, truck driver, coach and support. Bill Oncea and I worked side by side, giving our kids and for Bill, me and anyone else who needed it, all the help, racing tips, parts, encouragement, and most importantly friendship that anyone could ever ask for. Those to me were the golden years of my life and Bill Oncea showed me more true friendship and less drama and nonsense than any other human being I have ever met. He also kept me from getting too carried away with the craziness of what this sport can do to people and to simply focus on supporting my son, as he did his, to have the best possible experience in racing. To keep it fun and simple and just race to race, fair, hard and no drama.

I love Mr. Bill and his family. Mr. Bill changed my life and obviously the life of my son Miles and most in the racing business will now know who is responsible for our start in this sport. If it were not for Mr. Bill and his passion, commitment and for lack of a better word, "help", then my life may have been very different and certainly less full. Mr. Bill got me involved in the absolute best sport in the world, and he gave me something with my son that I can never come close to explaining, as he gave me far more than anyone will ever know and for one thing, he gave me an unbelievable friendship.

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Mr Bill passed away at 2am on Jan 18, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was only 62 years of age and a Vietnam Vet who life was very tough on in the years after he returned home from the war. After suffering for many years with the ravages that the Vietnam War left our boys with, Bill was diagnosed in August 2011 and took everything the doctors were willing to throw at him. He never complained and was so patient hoping for a cure. But in the end, the cancer was relentless and won.

January 18, 2012 will always be the day I lost one of the best friends a man could ever have. Bill was as unselfish and uncomplicated a person I have ever met. To the outsiders he was rough and gruff, but to those who knew him, he had a heart of gold, loved his Children, his wife and living and I hope wherever he is now, he has peace, is pain free and understands the impact he had on me and so many others who had the chance to know my friend, Mr. Bill.

A full military ceremony with honor guard Memorial Service will be held at the Bakersfield National Cemetery in Arvin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27, 2012
It is the first exit off the 99 Highway after you go over the Grapevine and the 5 and 99 split. Google MapQuest for specific directions.
Afterward, there will be a gathering at the FERGUSON's, 27234 Trinidad Court, Valencia, 91354 from 5:30 to 8:00 if anyone would like to come, or can't make the service and want to stop by.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help the family financially through the first few months, as the VA covers all burial expenses but unfortunately, since Bill’s cancer is not considered service related, as it is not on the
government list of Agent Orange related cancers, his family will lose his monthly disability pension.

All donations will be used 100% toward rent and living expenses. Donations can be made out to:

ONCEA FAMILY and can be mailed to :
c/o BRENEK
8860-227 CORBIN AV
Northridge, CA 91324

Ryon Beachner · Advertiser Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 344

This is terrible to hear, Bill and his family were a great help to me and my Dad when we first entered the sport as well. We formed a bit of a rivalry on track, but after the race was over everything was friendly, and always a great time. Some of my earliest memories are of racing at Saugus, and Willow Springs with them, and the De Phillippi's. Incredibly sad to hear this, and we wish all of the best to his family.

- Ryon & Rhod Beachner
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mark waller · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 2:50 pm Post subject:

Michael: That was a great tribute to your friend. Didn't know him, but you painted a pic with your words of someone I'd have liked to have known in karting.
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Doug Fleming · Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 1995

Thanks Micheal

R.I.P. Bill
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Dale Coffey · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:20 pm Post subject:

What a great tribute to your friend that truly understood karting. I hope many others are inspired by this, and sorry for the loss to the karting community.

My favorite competitors that I race for wins are my friends and go eat dinner after the raceday is over. They always know if they need a part to make our race, if I have it, come get it.

What a story about helping our younger generation! We need them to continue our sport and make it grow! I wish we would figure out how to make it more affordable and open to more

jim rogero · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:52 pm Post subject:

Michael, Thank you for sharing.

Mike Arnold · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:23 pm Post subject:

One of the good guys....RIP

Mike

Ric Smith · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 6:43 am Post subject:

It sounds like he was one of the guys not enough kart racers get to meet at the track, one of the guys that shows you how amazing this sport can be, and the kind of guy that makes you a fan of karting for life because of the people you get to meet along the way. My condolences go out to his family, R.I.P brother
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Linda Baldus · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 3:06 pm Post subject:

Michael, you've written an unbelievable tribute to your friend. I'll bet the tears were flowing the whole time you were writing; I know they were while I was reading.
Bill must have been a great guy!
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Jeffory Mott · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:00 am Post subject:

What a fantastic tribute. I never met Bill, but he certainly was the epitome of what a karter should be. God Bless him.
Jeff

Bob Rodrick · Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 12:26 pm Post subject:

What a great tribute to this man. Thank you Michael. I hope that more people will live their lives in a way that one day someone will write a tribute like that for them.

David Jimenez · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 2:43 pm Post subject:

nice Mr. Maroney. Bill an i didnt always see eye to eye (im - 5'7' and Bill +6'5') but he was karting friend and will be missed. Condulances from the Jimenez Family to Jayne, Billy and Daniel. RIP Bill.
peace

Joey Licata · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 3

Everything Mike said about Bill is true. Not to sound too corny, Bill touched my life in many ways. When my son Joey Licata Jr first started karting, I had already known the Oncea family from BMX racing. They were good people and of course welcomed us with "open arms" into the racing community.

Joey Jr's first few races did not go as planned. Of course, he was just learning how to race but most of the learning was being done by me - his mechanic....Or should I say his "wanna be mechanic". Bill came into my pit and basically told me to "sit down and shut up, let me take a look at this thing". I had the kart set up all wrong and Bill quickly pointed out 10 things that were messed up and said, "i'll be back" as he took my sons kart back to his pit.....A short while later I was wondering what was taking him so long, so I wandered over to their pit. Yeah, Bill had taken the kart apart and was in a million pieces. He assurred me not to worry that he'll have it all back together in time for the next practice session. And that he did. I wasnt just amazed by his willingness to help, by his mechanical abilities or his "get it done" attitude, I was amazed at something he said to me.......When I thanked him up and down, he told me "Joey, I'd rather beat you on the race track, than in the pits". He told me this 12 years ago and I can still remember his words and the soft but yet stern tone that he used, as if it were yesterday. This was who Bill was....He touched people in a way that can only be explained if you had the privelage of knowing him.

Theres more - When I started my own business in 2004, Bill was the first person I hired. I remember it like it was yesterday......Bill and I building the pallet racks in our warehouse, setting up the shipping area, which was "his baby". It was freezing cold in that warehouse as Bill and I put it together the way that he wanted it. There are so many good and funny memories I had during that time as well. The things that Bill would say, the funny things he would do, the rules he made for HIS WAREHOUSE. Bill even built a steel structure to store our tradeshow booth in. This thing could probably hold an 18 wheeler! This is how stout he made it! I didnt realize it then but later reflected on it......This is how Bill built the relationships in his life......These relationships were also built from Solid Steel! They all could survive a nuclear war! They could survive the test of time....And yes, they will even survive the loss of our good friend. I know that at the end of my life, Bill be waiting there for me with some smart ass comment - " Joey - What took you so long", or "its about time", as he smiles and welcomes me as he has so many other times before.

Bill, Jayne, Billy and Daniel ARE truly great people. I am so saddened to loose my friend to this terrible disease. However, I know how blessed I am and how blessed my family is to have known Bill - Rest in Peace my good friend

Mike Moya · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 213

Thank You Michael and Joey
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