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A local, well-known homeless man was found dead this morning just steps from the Bayside LIRR station.
William Bateman was found dead by pedestrians at approximately 7 a.m. sitting on a bench on 41st Avenue in Bayside shaded by trees, a place locals often saw him.
“He would sit there every day,” said Ahmed Iftikhar, owner of S&W coffee shop outside the LIRR station. “Sometimes he would stop by the shop, but mostly he stayed on the benches.”
Iftikhar saw Bateman when he came into work at 5 a.m. Customers rushed over to him at about 7 a.m. saying that Bateman wasn’t breathing, prompting Iftikhar to dial 9-1-1.
Passers-by stopped by the benches in the park on 41st Avenue to ask if it was the well-known Bateman who had died.
“He always sat there,” said Frank Collins, a local who sometimes chatted with Bateman. “He was a nice guy.”
Collins said Bateman planned on moving to Alabama to live with his sister after Labor Day.
To: Editor Queens Courier
Re: William “Broadway Bill” Bateman
Imagine the shock upon learning of the passing of a close family member. Imagine the hurt and the immediate concern for his mother that immediately flooded my heart. Imagine the feelings we experienced when a “visit home” that he was determined to make was obviously more important than any of us could have possibly realized. Imagine another call informing you of what I consider a most tasteless, insensitive article that contained a highly unnecessary photo was posted on several “hometown” publications as news. Was it news? Yes, someone’s love one had unfortunately passed. Was it of interest to some people of the Bayside area? Certainly, there were people who knew him and were genuinely touched by the cards life had dealt him and how his life was played out based on that hand. Imagine the disgust and hurt to see his unfortunate death documented with pictures that will forever be embedded in the minds of our family. The individual of whom I speak is my cousin, William Bateman. Some may have known him as “Broadway Bill” but he was Billy to us. Billy is a son, a brother, a nephew, a cousin, an uncle and an in-law of many who love him. However, most important he was human; a creation of God. Allow me to take a moment to dispel a term that was used to describe him – “homeless”. There are many people who are tagged with this label that are not really homeless. Despite the offer of permanent residences they choose, for whatever reason, mentally, physically, or emotionally, to wander and reside on the streets of many of our country’s cities. Technically, Bill was not homeless. He had options to reside in many homes. Remember the relatives I mentioned? Unfortunately, he also had a disease. A disease that many do not recognize as one, but never-the-less, I do. That disease is alcoholism, a disease that millions fight on a daily basis. Many are able to achieve sobriety and maintain it, sadly many are not.
This was a fight that Billy was unable able to win. This disease caused him to make decisions that clearly were not in his best interest. This disease at times placed strains on relationships. This disease at times estranged him from loved ones. This disease played a huge part in his physical condition. Regardless of his flaws, he was a human. He has family that loves him and will miss him. He has a Mother that never gave up on her son. As recent as the week of his passing she was doing what a good mother does- looking for help for her son. She will grieve his death as long as there is breath in her body. The angst of burying a child, no matter the age, is at times unbearable. Her faith in our God will sustain her and the love of her family and friends will support her. We will not allow the insensitivity of any publications diminish the love and memories we have for our Billy – “Broadway Bill”.
Again, I implore you to imagine receiving a phone call informing you of the loss of one of your family members. It doesn’t matter if they were imperfect – we all are. If your family member is blessed to have loving family, especially a Mother, imagine the hurt and grief that envelopes her entire body, mind and soul at the news. Imagine someone one informing you there is an article written about the death of your love one. Maybe your immediate reaction would be one of thanksgiving because you knew your relative suffered from a disease and of his choosing decided to live a life that made some consider him as “less than.” Imagine for a minute your were grateful that his life was recognized by and mattered to someone other than family. Grateful… until you open the link to that article to be immediately starring at a silhouette of your deceased love one’s body, loosely draped with white linen. Imagine if you will, that photo was of you. Imagine your family having to see a silhouette of your deceased body in that manner. Imagine the pain, the hurt, disgust and disdain for the person responsible for it.
Where is your sense of responsibility to humanity? Do you have a moral compass? Does the fact that he lived a life that was of his choosing and deemed “homeless” by many give you authority to disrespect him, his family and the end of his life in the manner you did? Does his choice make him less important than one who daily walks through the doors of their home and experience the luxuries of life they have been blessed to achieve and maintain? Was that the most interesting thing going on in the world that day? I can only hope that since this article was published you have had a chance to reflect on the choices you made that day. I can only pray that in hindsight you realize that while an article informing the community of the death of “Broadway Bill” may have been of interest to the Bayside-Queens community you also realize the added sadness and grief you unwittingly placed upon the hearts and minds of his family when the decision to include that photo was made.
I also pray if the opportunity to cover a situation such as the death of my cousin, William” Broadway Bill” Bateman presents itself to you, one thing has become as embedded in your heart and mind as deeply as that photo has been embedded in ours – some people choose to not have a permanent residence. Chances are they do have family someplace and in today’s technical world cyberspace is our new neighbor and it lives closer than next door.
Remember… So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12(NIV)
Zelda Walker Ross
Montgomery, Alabama
Such a tragic end to a human life. It is sad that this person died the way he did but to celebrate it by posting the picture of the deceased is not very nice. He still has his dignity no matter if he was homeless. He has a family and the family does not deserve to see the photo of their loved one plastered for all to see. May the family find peace in knowing that their loved one is in a better place. Shame on you people that posted this story with photo.
How dare you put pictures up of someone like this. Do you have no shame? Shame on you!!! Would you like someone to take photos of you when you die and put them up for the whole world to see. It’s one thing for Respecting a Life by Remembering and saying prayers; But when you go and take pictures for the whole world to see; That’s No Respect. The saying goes… Treat People how you want to be treated!!! No matter if someone is rich or poor… There’s no reason for this. Karma happen’s and now your name or names will be on the list!!! Take this Picture down you people have no right before it’s too late on your soul!!!
This is very insensitive to my family at this time. did you really have to post the picture? Really? I pray your advertisers find somewhere else to go.
Sincerely,
The younger William Bateman.
I agree with my cousin just cause a person is homeless they still have family, and the have to see your family member like this is sad. I pray this never happen again to anyone.
Upset family member from alabama….
I agree with my cousin just cause a person is homeless they still have family, and the have to see your family member like this is sad. I pray this never happen again to anyone.
Upset family member from alabama.
Last night about 1 A.M. on the way to my place I noticed a sign on a bench
“R.I.P Bill You won’t be forgotten” Not sure if I remembered correctly I went to see it again this morning, the sign was not there. Empty bench where Bill used to sit,but signs of lost dog and cats where there on a lamp post.Made it more true that human beings care more about pets than each other.Then there is another homeless man there, being in Bayside for years. Another forgotten soul.
I saw Bill everyday on the way to work.Lost soul ,you could see in his eyes the sadness,saw him few times with few who cared to sit by him and share his memories.Seemed to be a man with pride who never asked for anything,may be he did but I never saw,Few times I wanted to help, but was afraid to hurt his ego.Sad that richest country in the world neglects those who are left behind. for whatever reason they are out there. G-OD bless you Bill,Rest In Peace.
My deepest Condolences to his family and friends