I like your writing, it's very engaging. I'm sorry to hear that your friend died and how. Every Bill I have know seems very similar to your friend, if they go by William its a totally different vibe but "Bill", lol, Bill is always a bit of a wild card.
Interesting. I knew a character by that name. We called him "Bill" or "Billy" or "Willie The Worm". He was kicked out of high school, military school, and the army. Totaled his mother's car when he was 15, without a license. Was on parole for a number of years for transporting a minor over the state line in a stolen Cougar. His mother bought him a '69 428 Cobra Jet Mercury Cyclone when he was allowed to drive again at 18. It lasted about a year and a half. Had his phone tapped and was under surveillance by the police, (confirmed by my uncle). Etc. In short he was a lot of fun.