Our friend and colleague, Bill Futrell, recently retired after nine remarkable years with INVISION. As an architect, he made significant contributions to many projects, bringing his expertise and creative vision to the firm. Bill was more than just a talented professional; he was a mentor to many, sharing his knowledge and guiding younger architects as they developed their skills. His warm and positive presence in the office will be greatly missed, as he always brought a sense of camaraderie and enthusiasm to the team.
Bill’s Retirement Party
Mike Bechtel, who worked closely with Bill over the years, shared some fond memories and reflections. He said, “Working with Bill has been an absolute blast! We’ve tackled countless projects together, and I’ve learned so much from him along the way. Bill is a man of many talents and interests, though you’d never know it at first because he’s so humble. Over time, we discovered his love for hockey, cycling, playing guitar, gardening, and camping. One of my favorite memories is when he showed off his car-topper expandable tent with a fold-down ladder. We all gathered in the parking lot to watch him demonstrate how to camp on top of a car — it was hilarious and unforgettable! Bill truly is a gem.”
Dan Schwers, a long-time colleague and friend of Bill, said, “In the 23 years working with Bill off and on, first BBS, Simonson, and finally INVISION, I only worked with Bill on two projects. Bill had a vast knowledge of architecture and was always willing to share. In all the years of my working in the architectural field, Bill was always one of the most easy-going architects I have had the pleasure of working with. Bill always made it fun to learn and produce great architecture. Bill was always willing to mentor the younger staff and teach them about architecture as you worked beside him, most of the time you didn’t realize that you were learning something. Some of the most memorable times with Bill were when I was able to return some teaching moments and teach him how to tile his bathroom, the office retreat to Cancun shortly after he started at INVISION, and golfing and playing softball with Bill at BBS.”
As Bill bid farewell to us, he left us with a piece of timeless advice that perfectly captures his perspective and wisdom gained over the years. He said, “As an old-timer, indulge me as I leave you with some parting advice. What we do can be difficult and stressful. But it is also very worthwhile. We are doing consequential work that leaves a lasting impact on the built environment and the communities we work in. So be kind to each other. Try to use your intelligence, education, and experience to make things simpler not more complicated.”
We wish Bill all the best in his retirement and hope he enjoys his well-deserved time off. Cheers to a fantastic career and an even better retirement!