In October 1949 — three years after marrying Rose and three months after the birth of their daughter, Vicki — Bill was informed that he had a cancerous growth on one of his vocal cords, and the tumor was removed.
Pada bulan Oktober 1949 — tiga tahun setelah menikahi Rose dan tiga bulan setelah kelahiran putri mereka, Vicki — Bill diberi tahu bahwa di pita suaranya ada benih kanker yang tumbuh, dan tumor itu pun diangkat.