Farewell to our favorite HorseFly

WITH THIS SPECIAL ISSUE, we celebrate the life of a man who made a difference aqui en Taos.

Bill Whaley came here to ski, and left, skiing the mountain he loved.

His impact on this community cannot be ignored; he was a force for change who always spoke truth to power. Aside from all his accomplishments (and failures), as a writer, producer, entrepreneur and activist, he was mostly the champion of the underdog and the voice of the common folk. Taos Valley lost a very good man.

Tempo invited a few people who knew him well, to share some stories going back to “the early days” of Whaley’s Taos adventures. Even the ones who had not-so-memorable moments on the receiving end of his ire, remember him with fondness. That says it all.

From friends and family to colleagues and former adversaries, their voices are all here, capturing the many facets of this complex and courageous man. Whaley’s passing is also a testament to the strength of this community, so many have endured so much over the past year, and lost others besides – but Bill Whaley’s death is a little different – it signals the end of an era in Taos.

Fitting too, that there’s a new kid in town; another pesky insect to help keep us all in line. We wish them the very best of luck as they start their journey through the sagebrush labyrinth of El Norte. “I hope they make it,” Whaley said after meeting them, an unspoken acknowledgment of the ‘hazing’ Taos would give them. But he meant every word; always supportive of young people, new ideas and anyone who had the courage to step outside of the current narrative. If nothing else, he encouraged people to think for themselves.

Farewell Bill Whaley, you were oneof-a-kind.