Bill, aka DJ Heavy B, was born on March 9 ,1968 in Terrace Heights Hospital, Queens, New York and passed away unexpectedly on September 7, 2024, in Sanford, Florida. He was the 2nd child of 2 children born to William J. McLaughlin and Ginny McLaughlin (Butler).
Bill enjoyed his Shop Class and Computer Classes in school and was a “Car Junkie” early on. He loved cars, music and computers – not necessarily in that order. When he was about 10, he took apart the family lawn mower and told us not to worry, he could put it back together – and so he did. That was the groundwork for rebuilding engines etc.
He loved waterskiing early on and was learning to barefoot ski but was not happy when he broke his arm and couldn’t ski one summer. When he was older, he bought a boat and would head out into the deep-sea fishing with his buddies.
Bill always had many friends with similar interests and was always ready to help, share his expertise on many subjects and was teased about setting up an ASKBILL.COM site since everyone always “asked” Bill! They were and still are a tight group of friendly renegades having fun, racing cars, boating, trips together, etc. always ready to help one another – all for one – one for all!
We moved to Casselberry, FL and his history with Semoran Skateway began. He loved to skate, speed skate and then graduated to the sound booth to continue his chapter as Bill McLaughlin – DJ Heavy B. He developed many, many relationships there that continue today.
There were road trips to races, car shows, or just to travel cross country to help his friends. Bill had a love for cruising and of course a favorite travel destination of Gatlinburg, TN. Bill and Jan were to leave for Gatlinburg on Thursday, September 12, 2024, but unfortunately life took an unexpected turn that would end the journey. Someone said God must have needed a mechanic – and that DJ Heavy B received his golden turntable in the sky.
Bill is survived by his mother, Ginny Butler, his sweet life partner, Jan Habraken and her daughter Paige and son Brendan, his sister Beth Pearson, brother-in-law Jim, two nephews Jared and Joshua, his Uncle Buddy, cousins Adam and Matthew and their families, and the fearsome four – Jamie, Rob, Bobby and Karl among many, many other friends.
I was blessed to be his mom – and he was such a blessing to so many. We are all in shock over the sudden event, but Bill will live on in our hearts, our memories and our love for him and his love for us and one day we will see him again. For now, I know my mom is happy to see him and my Granddaughter Krystina.
I already miss him so much and kept expecting him to walk in any moment and be at work in his office, or out in his shop, or planning his next escapade.
Each one of them left at young ages, but it’s not always the quantity of life but the quality of life and living each day to the fullest as if it were your last day. No one knows the day or the hour when the Lord will call us so we must always be ready.
Please join us for the Celebration of Life for Bill McLaughin, aka DJ Heavy B, on Saturday, September 21, 2024, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.