The Miami Times

December 03, 1949

Bill Robinson

The City of New York paid much honor to the memory of Bill (Bojangles) Robinson. The day of the funeral schools were closed. Thousands passed by his bier as it stood in the armory and at Abysinnia Baptist Church and millions lined the streets for a last look at what remained of the famous actor.

New York dailies carried editorials, among them the following from the New York Times:

The Passing of Bojangles

“The unique place that Bill Robinson occupied in the hearts of his contemporaries was not merely the result of his art, magnificent as that was. For while Bojangles the dancer elicited the highest commendation, it was Bill Robinson the man who won such uniform affection and esteem. His death takes from us not only a great performer who entertained us but a great human being who madeour lives richer and happier.

His genorosity was fabulous, but it was not merely the easy-handedness of the “soft-touch”. It was also the outpouring of a person who gave himself as freely as he gave his substance. His whole life consisted of doing the thing that he loved to do for the enjoyment and benefit of others. His enormous gusto was readily communicated and it seemed inexhaustible. How many multiplied thousands of persons there must be who have experienced that “lift” that they got from just watching Bojangles in action. All of them will feel that in his passing they have lost a personal friend, and he would have wanted them to feel just that.

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Bill Robinson, The Miami Times, December 03, 1949.