Marriott Bonvoy Lurker Update (Starwood/Marriott Bonvoy Lurker Retires)
Aug 15, 2019, 8:25 pm
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
Franny and I had been aware of William's impending retirement for some time now but did not know exactly when the deed was to be done. Imagine our surprise when we just bumped into him in a hotel in Virginia this evening. An hour or so of socializing and going over old times refreshed memories of how much William had meant to FT and to us personally.
All we could do was to lift one with him, catch up about some other old friends, and wish him all the best. We hope that we can arrange to run into him again sooner than later.
All we could do was to lift one with him, catch up about some other old friends, and wish him all the best. We hope that we can arrange to run into him again sooner than later.
Aug 16, 2019, 8:12 am
#92
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United Premier 1K 1MM; AA Plat Pro; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Platinum; Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,529
Good luck William! Appreciate your help over the years and your consistent engagement. Wish there was more of it!
Aug 16, 2019, 8:22 am
#93
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,120
Good luck, William. Sondra and I will always remember all the times you went above and beyond to help us. You were truly the dictionary example of customer service. As like monitor, we would love to meet you again anywhere/anytime.
Aug 16, 2019, 12:09 pm
#94
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
BTW. There may be a few of you who aren’t old enough to get the reference- but here is Pa Kettle on Vacation
Ma & Pa Kettle on Vacation
Ma & Pa Kettle on Vacation
Aug 16, 2019, 10:39 pm
#98
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere in Florida
Posts: 2,622
William,
I came into this as a Marriott loyalist and was always envious that the SPG folks had you as a resource. You were more than just a resource, and it showed. You were the human touch that so many companies miss out on today. As others have noted, you were more than that -- you are gentleman. I'm not sure where your future ventures will take you, but I know many of us would follow.
Don't be a stranger -- I think many (if not all?) of us would appreciate your presence in a non-work setting just as much.
I came into this as a Marriott loyalist and was always envious that the SPG folks had you as a resource. You were more than just a resource, and it showed. You were the human touch that so many companies miss out on today. As others have noted, you were more than that -- you are gentleman. I'm not sure where your future ventures will take you, but I know many of us would follow.
Don't be a stranger -- I think many (if not all?) of us would appreciate your presence in a non-work setting just as much.
Aug 16, 2019, 10:54 pm
#99
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,179
Congratulations on your retirement William. Unlike some of the other posters above, we never met but we didn’t need to because wherever I would be in the world and no matter the time zone, you were there like a family member, willing to help me resolve any issue encountered.
You are a true example of what exemplary service should be and no doubt your efforts helped to shape SPG’s renowned reputation and limited the fallout during the transition to Marriott.
I fear that the William legacy will not live on because he’s simply irreplaceable.
Thanks and all the best! Enjoy your retirement!
You are a true example of what exemplary service should be and no doubt your efforts helped to shape SPG’s renowned reputation and limited the fallout during the transition to Marriott.
I fear that the William legacy will not live on because he’s simply irreplaceable.
Thanks and all the best! Enjoy your retirement!
Aug 17, 2019, 8:18 am
#100
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska Million Mile Flyer, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,194
William helped me navigate Starwood at least going back to my original Starwood Preferred Guest Ambassador status when it was still a pilot a decade ago. He's been a valued presence here (and occasionally by private message) ever since.
A class act, and very helpful. Wishing much fulfilling relaxation in retirement, whatever form "retirement' takes.
A class act, and very helpful. Wishing much fulfilling relaxation in retirement, whatever form "retirement' takes.
Last edited by Seattlenerd; Aug 17, 2019 at 8:33 am
Aug 17, 2019, 9:08 am
#101
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Please wish William the best. We didn't always see eye-to-eye, but he was the best support we could ask for.
Aug 18, 2019, 1:48 pm
#102
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 731
Franny and I had been aware of William's impending retirement for some time now but did not know exactly when the deed was to be done. Imagine our surprise when we just bumped into him in a hotel in Virginia this evening. An hour or so of socializing and going over old times refreshed memories of how much William had meant to FT and to us personally.
All we could do was to lift one with him, catch up about some other old friends, and wish him all the best. We hope that we can arrange to run into him again sooner than later.
All we could do was to lift one with him, catch up about some other old friends, and wish him all the best. We hope that we can arrange to run into him again sooner than later.
Aug 18, 2019, 4:42 pm
#104
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Aug 19, 2019, 11:26 am
#105
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, BMI Gold (RIP)
Posts: 8,021
A little bit late to the retirement party, but this is genuinely the end of an era. William has been a fantastic ambassador for SPG and more recently Bonvoy and has been a big help to me on a number of occasions over the years. Also William and the Lurker team were behind one of the most memorable gestures that really touched our family and made us feel part of the SPG family. (4 years on from being a little person with an SPG babygrow and a St Regis bathrobe, our daughter still loves a trip to a hotel. You are partly to blame William!)
From the RAPC family, many happy years of retirement to come William and I hope you get to enjoy many special moments with your family and friends. Thanks for everything!
From the RAPC family, many happy years of retirement to come William and I hope you get to enjoy many special moments with your family and friends. Thanks for everything!