8-23-23

Some Thoughts And Letters in Memory
of William "Whispers" Goehler

So I sent a post in June ("Dead Whispers") and got a couple of comments on it in July. In my replies to those comments, I mentioned my plan to collect some stories about Whispers (William Goehler) from a few of the many, many inmates around here who knew him. I ultimately asked six or seven people to write a little something, and four or five said they would.

In the end, only one did.

I can't say it didn't bum me out a bit that basically no one wanted to give a final shout out to someone they knew, some of whom knew him very well.

Because only one came through, I'll include his letter, of course (it gives a great little insight into the man, in my opinion—definitely matches my view of him!), and I'll also attach the two letters Whispers sent me before his unfortunate end.

As I wrote before, I do feel guilty for not replying to them (not just because he's dead... the fact is, it always nagged at my conscience to basically ghost him as I did. I assumed we'd cross paths again though, and we'd discuss it in person. Just goes to show you never know which chance is your last chance with anyone. :().

I also want to share a bit of what I heard as I solicited contributors to what appears to be sort of a memorial here. One guy, debating whether he should say anything to the world about Whispers, asked me (rhetorically), "Well, how much do they deserve to know about him?"

See, William "Whispers" Goehler did elicit some strong reactions and feelings in people and, as I discovered, one feeling was a sort of protectiveness of his memory and what he stood for. My buddy here (who will remain anonymous—not my preference, but every single person I spoke with about Whispers insisted on at least that) for example simply felt that the typical hypocrite and largely spineless person who might randomly come across these words (no offense, but it we're being honest, who among us really has the guts to say what we truly believe and then stand up for it, behind it, the way Whispers often did?) had no right to any real peek behind the curtain of this man.

Another told me if he wrote anything, it would be for Whispers' family so they could see he was known and appreciated in these dungeons. I suppose that's kind of my goal in doing this as well, but I don't believe in sanitizing things the way this other acquaintance thought was appropriate.

Still another guy said he probably wouldn't want to write anything because he didn't want to say too little... I told him he was being ridiculous. I asked, "Would you rather have evidence you were remembered and even liked when you're gone, even if just a couple of lines from a number of people or have NO evidence at all that anyone ever gave a shit, just because those who did didn't want to speak up and say just a little something?" He understood and agreed, yet he still wrote nothing.

I waited weeks beyond the original week I'd asked everyone to get their final words to me. It didn't matter. You'll just have to take my word, I suppose, that many people felt they probably should say something but, in the end, were too reluctant (or too lazy) to put pen to paper.

Two last comments from people I asked to contribute in Whispers' memory: "A lot of what I'd want to say, I couldn't write down with honesty just because of the board." Meaning, he was afraid of what the parole board would think of him if he expressed his true feelings about some of Whispers' exploits.

And... "Why should I say anything? If you wanna know about Whispers, look him up. He's googeable." :)

Okay, so here's the little In Memoriam from the one person who came through followed by the two letters Whispers sent to me.

If anyone reading this feels inclined, perhaps you might copy and then paste this stuff to Whispers own BTB blog (betweenthebars/blogs/420). The folks who knew him best or read him most often might like to see some of it. If you do, would you let me know? Thanks.

—Dymitri