DEAR HANK:  For as long as we live, Ginger and I will never forget the day that you introduced us to Colonel Tom Parker and recommended us both for the "Elvis Presley Show".  Touring with Elvis for part of 1956 and '57 was for us an experience that we shall never forget.  Your unselfish introduction opened a lot of doors for "Ginger & Hall Willis"... Thank you Hank.

THANK YOU HANK, for all the great times we had when we toured together.  I remember them all, especially the tour we did of the Maritime Provinces (your old stomping grounds).  I remember you showing me the house you had lived in as a child in Liverpool, Nova Scotia.  We broke records on that tour for attendances... Thank you Hank.

THANK YOU HANK, for showing me what a Martin D-28 guitar should sound like, and how to bring out that great sound... a secret I treasure to this day....Thank You Hank.

THANK YOU HANK, for all the nice things you did for other entertainers... like maybe a word in the right place and at the right time... a word of encouragement... maybe a hug when they needed it most, and for that... Thank you Hank.

THANK YOU HANK, for the care and respect that you showed toward other people, your good manners... your honesty... and your fierce determination to accomplish what you set out to do without hurting anyone along the way... Thank you Hank.

THANK YOU HANK, for the clean-looking dress code you brought to country music, and the class that goes with it...Thank you Hank.

THANK YOU HANK, for the original and inventive style of country music you brought to all of us, and for the joy and happiness you brought to millions of fans around the world...Thank you Hank.

THANK YOU HANK, for all the charity work you did for the cause of mistreated and abused children, for you had also been abused as a child, and personally experienced the inner hurt and disillusionment of being battered by adults... Thank you Hank

THANK YOU HANK, for helping to introduce me to country music when I was just a lad, by listening to your early RCA Victor recordings produced in Montreal, Quebec, (my home province), with such songs as Brand On My Heart... and for that, I Thank you Hank.

THANK YOU HANK, for showing me the importance of being true to one's fans.  You said that fans should at all times be treated with respect, and if they ever wrote me a letter, then I should always return the compliment whenever possible, for they are the ones that can make you... or break you.  I am proud to say that I've followed your advice throughout my own career... Thank you Hank.

THANK YOU HANK, for representing our great country of Canada with honor and dedication.  We're proud of you old friend... Thank you Hank.

THANK YOU HANK, for being our friend.  Ginger and I shall never forget you and your music.  Our hearts and our prayers go out to your family... Thank you Hank.