Shawn Wilsie Tribute to Bill Fahey

Former host and home shopping pioneer Bill Fahey recently and unexpectedly passed away. His close friend and former coworker, Shawn Wilsie, wrote a touching tribute to Bill that I am honored to pass along.

Honestly I'm so shocked words are really hard to come by.

I've told anyone and everyone for years that Bill was one of the three all time greats I've ever known in this industry. A select group of individuals that on a personal and professional level I could never say one bad word about. Bill was the biggest sports fan you ever know so I best recall him as the originator of the sports shows both on ValueVision and on CVN. Name a sport and he could talk it with you. He loved playing just as much and I know it was tough for him as he got older and couldn't play anymore. He had hip issues that in later life you could tell were a nearly constant bother to him but he NEVER let on that he was having a problem or if he was in any pain.

There was a constant Bill Fahey smile that everyone will tell you they remember and it was NEVER "about him.” He was that rare personality where he couldn't care less if you gave him any attention, whether you were a friend, co-worker or guest on a show it was all about you.



I posted a clip of Bill on my Facebook page that I felt best summed up the love we all had for him (note: you can view the video on Shawn’s Facebook here or on this blog here). I was here in my hotel room crying, literally, and I recalled all the "bloopers" he had and he really did become famous for. Nearly every host that ever knew him would understand what you meant if you said "I pulled a Fahey.” It meant broke a product on the air and he would be the first to laugh at his ability to break a product. Bill is looking down on us now and, as we all cry for our losing him far too soon, smiling at the joy he has brought us and continues to bring us in his absence.

Much more to be said about this man. Committed family man, always putting others first, ALWAYS smiling, I honestly haven't cried this hard outside of a family loss in a very long time. Pray for his lovely wife Donna and his kids.

Funeral arrangements via Mike Davidson's Facebook page:

Bill Fahey's Visitation and Service will be held at Pax Christi, 12100 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN (phone 952-941-3750) this Friday, April 30th. Visitation 9:30-10:30, Service 10:30-11:30, and Lunch 11:30.

In lieu of flowers, there is a Fahey College Fund set up for Bill and Donna's children through TCF Bank. Donations can be sent to any TCF Bank, but here is the location in Chanhassen: 900 West 78th St., Chanhassen, MN 55317