Bill Dyer - Animal Rights Activist EXTRAORDINAIRE
An Animal Rights Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Animal Rights Activists
July 2017

Comments, images, videos about the amazing Bill Dyer (1934-2017)

Bill Dyer: "I wish I'd known about this earlier in my life...All those demos we did at UCLA and and Cedars in the 19801. I walked away from that knowing that I did not save one animal's life. But I realized later that because we were there we made through the 80s, we made animal rights a mainstream issue. That’s what we did. All the time we were there. Feeling hopeless. All of us there. Feeling like we didn’t change anything. But we did, we made it a mainstream issue."

Jeri Lerner, Publisher, The Animals Voice Magazine

Bill told me a story about being in the neighborhood soon after O.J. Simson was arrested and seeing a bunch of people hanging around the Brown household and Bill said “What are you doing here?” And one guy said, “Well... I don’t have a life.” Could Bill’s T-shirt design been a direct response to THAT?

Goodbye Bill Dyer - Chris DeRose, LCA Last Chance for Animals
My Dear Friend and a Hero for the Animals

It is with tremendous sadness that I write this message in memory of the late Bill Dyer, who passed away on July 11, 2017.

Bill was one of the original members of LCA, and was always on the front lines of any action LCA took. He showed unwavering loyalty not only to me, but to the animals that we both fought so hard for. He was forever in the mix of some of LCA's biggest investigations, such as the case of notorious B dealer Barbara Ruggiero, who sold stolen family dogs for medical research.

Bill would do whatever it took to take down animal abusers. After working with him for so many years, I am proud to call him my friend and colleague.

The great things that LCA has achieved would not have been so if not for a great small team of hardcore activists, of which Bill was among the key members.

Bill, I will miss you very much. I will never forget you. 

Goodbye Bill Dyer - An Amazing Friend & Guardian to Animals, from Elliot M. Katz, DVM, Founder and President Emeritus, In Defense of Animals

It is with the deepest caring, respect, love and sadness that we say goodbye to Bill Dyer. Bill was truly the heart and soul of In Defense of Animals. He was always a fantastic source of inspiration to all who knew and worked with him - an amazing individual with an enormous range of talents, consideration, warmth and love for all our fellow beings, human and non-human alike.

Let his life inspire us to be ever stronger and more active and committed animal advocates, animal guardians and vegans. Bill truly followed in the deeply caring footsteps, courage and compassion of St. Francis of Assisi, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Cesar Chavez, to name but a few of the giants he chose to follow. He truly deserves to be included among the famous giants of history.

Please allow me to share with you the following statement submitted by a dear friend, and fellow activist of Bill's, Bryan Monell.

"Feeling the deepest sadness and most profound sense of loss, today the planet lost one of the greatest most compassionate humans to ever walk its surface. Bill Dyer has passed away. He was a champion for all the oppressed no matter their gender, race or species. Many of you knew him as a tireless advocate for animal rights. He was also a performer who sang on the Johnny Carson show. He made a CD of songs to help save Billy the elephant suffering at the L.A. Zoo. I had the pleasure of working with Bill over the years. We coordinated the Fur Free Friday march on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills for several years. We joined forces to protest Ringling whenever they came to L.A. He was instrumental when we held the largest circus protest in U.S. history against Ringling. Over 500 people attended thanks in large part to Bill. Bill was a tenacious compassionate warrior. He worked his butt off and was a great help in getting the historic West Hollywood fur ban passed. Bill's list of accomplishments would fill up several lifetimes for most people. I love you Bill. The world will never be the same again without you. Maybe Bill felt that now that Ringling was gone he could finally get some peace. Every year during this very week for decades Bill would be on the front lines at the Staples Center in Los Angeles protesting Ringling. They aren't coming this year or ever again. Get some well deserved rest my dear friend. Rivers of tears flowing now. So sad to lose such a wonderful man. So happy to have met and worked with my dear friend. I shall cherish countless memories with you Bill, forever. You were truly one of a kind. R.I.P, Bill Dyer" 1934-2017

Should you ever feel overwhelmed in our work and actions on behalf of our fellow beings, please gain strength by listening to the words and the heart and soul of Bill through the videos we share with you here. Let Bill's life, enthusiasm and actions be reminders that energize you and strengthen your resolve to never give up helping others. Let him be a reminder that you cannot, must not, ever be too young or too old, too overwhelmed or disillusioned by the slowness of change. Resolve to follow instead in Bill's footsteps to continue to be a loving, considerate and compassionate human being; a persistent and determined advocate, vegan and guardian for the weak and vulnerable, for the forgotten and disenfranchised - whatever their species may be. Bill's memories, accomplishments, achievements, spirit and life will forever live on as a source of inspiration, power and direction for us to emulate and learn from. Be assured, he will never be forgotten. We will make very sure of that.

Allow me to once again thank each and every one of you for In Defense of Animals' accomplishments. I thank you one and all, the hundreds of thousands of our supporters, activists and volunteers. We could not have accomplished so very much and saved so very many lives without your support, participation, compassion and determination to make a difference for our fellow beings. As I have said before, the same level of appreciation also goes out to the amazing and wonderful staff and Board of IDA, past and present. I for one will be eternally grateful for all you and they have accomplished, here in the states and around the world. With much love and appreciation to each and every one of you, I remain respectfully and in your debt.

Bill also reminded us to appreciate Chris De Rose, for exposing Bill's heart, soul and appetite to animal rights, animal advocacy and veganism.

Please consider attending the memorial service that will be held next Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Westwood Presbyterian Church (non- denominational) located at 10822 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles, California, 90024.

As you will see from the following videos, which were so beautifully assembled, Bill was truly a remarkable man, with a determination to never give up, nor ever give in. His life's actions, compassion and love will inspire and energize you too to tirelessly fight for justice for all species. He was truly a man who was larger than life.

Elliot Katz and Bill

• Memoirs - A restrospective video of Bill's career in show business and animal rights

• Bill Dyer's introduction of the IDA / LAAS No Kill Seminar AND Lifetime Achievement Award at Animal Rights conference 2009

Bill Dyer - Oral History Interview - 2013

From the interview: "All those demos we did at UCLA and and Cedars... I walked away from that knowing that I did not save one animal's life. But I realized later that because we were there we made through the 80s, we made animal rights a mainstream issue. That’s what we did. All the time we were there. Feeling hopeless. All of us there. Feeling like we didn’t change anything. But we did, we made it a mainstream issue."

Bill Dyer 2013 Interview on Armaiti May DVM veganpodcast

Mary Davis - Facebook post July 19, 1017:

Bill Dyer had a wicked sense of fun and humor. His love and heart will be missed by all.

Bill composed a letter to Frank Sinatra incorporating titles of songs that Sinatra made popular. Please enjoy this as much as I still do. I love you, Bill Dyer! Thank you for everything!

Bryan Monell, Long-time Animal Activist

Feeling the deepest sadness and most profound sense of loss. Today the planet lost one of the greatest most compassionate humans to ever walk its surface.  Bill Dyer has passed away. He was a champion for all the oppressed no matter their gender race or species. Many of you knew him as a tireless advocate for animals. He was also a performer and sang on the Johnny Carson show. He made a CD of songs to help save Billy the elephant suffering at the L.A. Zoo. I had the pleasure of working with Bill over the years. We coordinated the Fur Free Friday march on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills for several years. We joined forces to protest Ringling whenever they came to L.A. He was instrumental when we held the largest circus protest in U.S. history against Ringling. Over 500 people attended thanks in large part to Bill. Bill was a tenacious compassionate warrior. He worked his butt off and was a great help in getting the historic West Hollywood fur ban passed. Bill's list of accomplishments would fill up several lifetimes for most people. I love you Bill. The world will never be the same again without you. Maybe Bill felt that now that Ringling was gone he could finally get some peace. Every year during this very week for decades Bill would be on the front lines at the Staples Center in Los Angeles protesting Ringling. They aren't coming this yr or ever again. Get some well deserved rest my dear friend. So sad to lose such a wonderful man. From Bill "No, I didn't eat meat, Yes I got enough protein, No my shoes weren't leather, Yes, I had a life" And what a wonderful life it was. So happy to have met and worked with my dear friend. I shall cherish countless memories with you Bill forever. You were one of kind. R.I.P, Bill Dyer

Bryan with Bill at Circus protest

Veda Stram, Long-time Animal Activist

THANK YOU BILL... The first person I ever spoke to about animal rights! Spring 1988...He spoke about the holocaust against animals, he spoke about the absolute IMMEDIATE necessity for people to WAKE UP and STOP HURTING ALL ANIMALS EVERYWHERE... RIGHT NOW! He told me to go to a Last Chance for Animals meeting that night and I did and my life was forever altered. He never wavered in his commitments, his activism, his love for all animals and his deep appreciation for animal rights activism! RIP Bill Dyer!

Mary Cummins

We lost a great animal activist today, I met him 17 years ago at an LA Animal Services commission meeting. He inspired me to be a better speaker for the animals. His speeches were powerful and memorable. He was 83.

Bill's Memorial Service, July 26, 2017

Bryan Monell: Yesterday I attended the funeral of an AR legend and dear friend Bill Dyer (Facebook link). It was one of the most memorable memorial services I have ever been to. Bill being the consummate performer in life had planned out and choreographed his service and just like everything else he did in life it was special. Aaron Leider was the master of ceremonies. Aaron went just a little off script and without Bill knowing had Jack Carone carry Bills ashes into the church and then a few of us followed Bill holding Adopt Don't Shop puppy mill signs and Ban Animal Circuses signs. It was perfect. Bill leading one last protest march up the church aisle. I'm sure Bill would have been delighted.

During the video presentation Bill was on screen talking to us sitting at a piano while his ashes were right in front of us sitting on a piano. It was surreal. It was great hearing all about Bills extraordinary life from those who knew him at various stages throughout his life. He certainly led a full life.

After the service we then marched out of the church to the cemetery. As I carried Bills ashes on his final march i looked behind to see all the people following Bill just like tens of thousands who followed him over his decades of fighting to end the oppression of all beings. He has joined all his beloved animal friends who he loved and shared his life with and passed away. Bill has crossed over the rainbow bridge. Bill will be missed but never forgotten. He is buried among the famous stars of Hollywood. In my book no Hollywood star has ever shown brighter or been more important than Bill.

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