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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z3hayat-JU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg2W5TCRcFk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0wK2kScAh8

Elliot M. Katz, DVM, Founder and President Emeritus, In Defense of Animals; Director, The Animal Guardian Initiative.