Train of Death: King of the Dome

His name was Bill Scott. Just an average Kingdome vendor during the late ‘70s, something Bill was not was average on enthusiasm.

Most remember Bill as “The Beer Man”. Overalls, a Hawks jersey and sometimes a hat were his uniform of choice. He took it upon himself to rally the Kingdome crowds. Working the crowd into frenzy with his booming baritone voice he brought life to that concrete coliseum.

Bill passed away this past Sunday morning of cardiac arrest. Bill was 58 years old.

I had the pleasure of sitting with Bill at a Seahawks game back in 1997. Naturally he was skeptically of me since I was in my Broncos gear. A high school friend of mine actually worked with Bill and the seats belonged to Bill. At first I didn’t realize that Bill was that “Bill”. I was not that knowledgeable of such Seattle sports lore. I became the focal point of fans frustration all thanks to Bill and his chants of Broncos demise. He worked the crowd around us high fiving everyone and started some incoherent intoxicated chants later in the game. Bill was playful in his taunts never provoking me or inciting others to provoke me. Bill was the genuine article. I was in the presence of Seattle Sports Royalty. I bow down to the Beer Man.