William Stuart "Bill" Govan

William "Bill" Stuart Thomson Govan wore his heart on his sleeve because the one in his chest was trash. Bill was an artist, a musician, a philosopher, a reader, an asker of questions, and truly one of the most genuine souls to ever walk the earth. His third eye was squeegeed clean. He was more in tune with himself and his place on this spinning orb than many of us can ever dream to be. The degree to which Big Boss Bill will be missed is simply immeasurable.

Bill died on Sunday, September 28, 2025 after battling a heart condition for many years. He was 40. Preceded in death by his father, Stuart Govan, he is survived by his wife and partner-in-crime Lauren Aquino, brother Michael Govan, mother Jacquelyn Olic, in-laws Thomas (Amy) Aquino and Melinda (Jay) Airhart, brothers-in-law Anthony (Kirby) and Dominick (Jalah) Aquino, nieces, nephews, cousins raised like siblings, aunts, uncles, and countless friends and bandmates.

Bill was born February 27, 1985. He was a graduate of Waterloo High School and a student of Art at KSU. He took great pride in his hardscaping work before his heart condition sidelined it. But Bill's true work was the music and art he created, including countless found object and collage pieces he created for the people he loved.

In lieu of something meaningless, go read a book. Create art. Think deeply. Apologize with conviction. And forgive if for nothing else than to lessen your own burden. Ask questions. Never settle. Stand in the rain. Listen to loud music. Book the "Nature Cruise of the Century." And remember, "...we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively. There is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we're the imagination of ourselves."

Friends and family will celebrate Bill's life and collectively mourn his death at a later date. If you're in the know, you'll know.