Wayne Neal, 74, ornery ole bastard

Wayne Neal has exited his rickety old body, having lived twice as long as he expected and way longer than he deserved. He passed on September 11, 2016, at 74 years old. He often wished in his later years that he had not treated his body like a Tavern. (H/T Peter Elikann)

NYT obit writer on how the game is played

Bruce Weber — not that Bruce Weber — has spent more than eight years writing obituaries for The New York Times. Last week, he wrote his own farewell, penning a story on his resignation from the paper. The journalist, who joined The Times as a staff editor for the Sunday magazine section in 1986, caught up with WWD to talk about his most memorable stories, how he approaches writing about the dead, and whether his departure is indicative of a larger obit for print media. (H/T Stuart Elliot)

NYT obit writer takes his leave

No sense in burying the lede. This week, after more than eight years of lively habitation in one of journalism’s more obscure corners, I’m making a final egress, passing on. Starting after Friday’s deadline (ha!) I am an ex-obit writer.

William Ziegler, 69; this time it's for real

William Ziegler escaped this mortal realm on Friday, July 29, 2016 at the age of 69. We think he did it on purpose to avoid having to make a decision in the pending presidential election. (H/T to Lisa Sayers)

A son reflects on writing his father's obituary

My father regularly enjoyed reading the obituaries in The Economist, sharing the best ones with my Mother and friends. Actor Bill Paxton captures the sentiment well: “My father always read obituaries to me out loud, not because he was maudlin or morbid but because they were mini biographies.”

Stephanie S. Baier, 45, chose right side of law

Stephanie was born on June 26, 1971, in New London, to Carole (Lee) Baier and the late Peter M. Baier. She was the younger sister to Lance, who once hung her out the window by her ankles, so that she could touch some ducks. Needless to say, they were partners in crime. Stephanie chose the right side of the law and eventually became an attorney.

From "The New Yorker": "Auto reply: I am dead and will have limited access to e-mail."