Cliff Guilliams, a passionate writer and sportsman who was at his best covering horse racing and high school basketball for the Evansville Courier & Press, passed away at his favorite time of year, the buildup to the Kentucky Derby.

Cliff had covered the last major Derby prep race, the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, only hours before his death in Louisville.

At 52, he leaves the love of his life, wife Susan (DeLuca); his mother, Ruth; his sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Matt Coomes; nephews Bradley, Kevin and Kyle Coomes — all of Evansville, IN; and countless friends to mourn.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charlie.

A 1973 graduate of Bosse High School , where he was proud to have played football for Archie Owen. A 1977 graduate of the University of Southern Indiana, Cliff combined his love of horse racing, history, writing, and fine food and drink into a lifetime of good times.

He had been a sportswriter at the Courier & Press and its predecessors since 1977, concentrating on horse racing in Kentucky and high school basketball in Southwestern Indiana, where he shed positive light on such programs as Forest Park, Washington, Barr-Reeve, and Southridge.

He was a proponent of Ellis Park, advising owners and general managers on the track's history and its potential, while helping promote "town days" and memorial races that filled the facility with fans and laughter.

In earlier days, he and his father co-owned several runners at Ellis, including Rustic Knave and Cholley Star. They also co-hosted famous playoff parties when Guilliams' favorite team, the Washington Redskins, and favorite coach, Joe Gibbs, were winning Super Bowl titles.

As the official chart caller for Daily Racing Form and Equibase Inc., he charted thousands of races in Kentucky , including 25 consecutive Kentucky Derbys and seven Breeders' Cup days. In Louisville , he had hosted a weekly radio talk show, "The Kentucky Winner's Circle.”  He selected winners in print for the Courier & Press and, in recent years, the Courier-Journal in Louisville, averaging nearly 40 percent some years.

Guilliams received national recognition in 2003 when trainer Nick Zito named his top Kentucky Derby contender, "The Cliff's Edge," in his honor.

He earned many awards for his sports writing, and last year was honored by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association with the Virgil Sweet Award for his contributions to their sport.
Guilliams' book, “Final Calls for Absent Friends”, was published in 2001, telling the stories of horses, athletes, and coaches who had touched his life.

Guilliams supported Forest Park High School and USI booster clubs, and was a member of the Evansville Masonic Lodge No. 64, Scottish Rite and the Hadi Shrine Temple , where he was a past president of the Oriental Band. He also belonged to the Royal Order of Elks, Lodge No. 6, in Louisville.

He was chairman of the unofficial Small Town Gentlemen's Association — a group that gathered at Fleig's Cafe in Ferdinand, the Roundup in Troy, the New Boston Tavern, Red Bones in Montgomery, The Overtime in Huntingburg, the Shamrock in Ireland, Headquarters in Jasper, Leroy's and Marigold in Evansville and other Southern Indiana watering holes to discuss high school sports and horse racing.

Browning Funeral Home 738 E. Diamond Ave. is handling arrangements. Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at the funeral home. Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, April 17, 2008, at Browning Funeral Home with Father Ted Tempel officiating. Burial will be held in Park Lawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jim Kornblum, Rich Helming, Joe McCool, Brandon Hopf, Tim Hopkins and Tim Ethridge. Honorary pallbearers are Donnie Beckham, Del Cato, Greg Ritter, Brian Elmore, Nick Zito and Matt Coomes.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association Scholarship Fund, 4079 Iron Works Parkway , Lexington , KY 40511 .

April 15, 2008
I know you're at the track this early frosty morning. You're favorite place to be. But I'm going to miss you. You left too early and I didn't get to say goodbye. I hope your glass is always full, you have plenty of cigars, and I hope the field is always filled with quality horses. Thanks for the memories.
Jill Seiler ( Ft. Branch, IN )

April 15, 2008
My best memories of Cliff are at Christmas when he would invite people over to admire his gigantic Christmas tree. There was always a colorful story as to how he liberated it from some hidden location. I can still see him beaming while picking out special ornaments on the tree and telling how he came to acquire them. Cliff's gruff exterior hid a very tender heart. He was the ultimate "old school" guy. Who will write for Cliff? Will anyone do it justice the way he did? What a loss to sports writing and to all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him and to those who loved reading his heartfelt articles. I'm grateful for all the fun memories with Cliff back in the eighties and of going to my first Derby with him and hanging out in the press box on many occasions. My prayers to his wife Susan, his mother Ruth and to the rest of the family.
Anita Roll ( Evansville , IN )

April 15, 2008
As so many others have said, Cliff was "one of a kind." Unfortunately, it seems all of those folks leave us all too soon. I consider it an honor and a privilege to have been able to work with Cliff both at the race track and covering high school sports in Southern Indiana . Summers will definitely NOT be the same at Ellis Park and the backside at Churchill Downs will be different, too. Hopefully, Cliff and another guy who was taken away all too soon -- Jim Bolus of The Courier-Journal & Times -- will hook up and have a great time talking horses and high school sports. Cliff was definitely "old school." I think that's why I liked him so much. I think I'm very similar, but I don't have the skills Cliff had to convey those thoughts into words. God Bless Cliff, his wife Susan and mother Ruth and ALL of his family.
Garry Jones ( Clarksville , IN )

April 15, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. I will always remember the Friday nights and the "Star Market Stars". I will miss seeing you at Ellis this summer when I come to town.
Duane (Hoppy) Hopkins ( Cape Coral , FL )

April 15, 2008
A true friend, who made me feel at home when I first got to Ellis Park 10 years ago. I'm going to miss him in so many ways. A typical example of Cliff is him ranting about something in the pressbox and then on the way out smiling while giving the cleanup lady at Ellis Park a $50 Roca Bar card for dinner. A heart of Gold under that gruff exterior. You'll be missed, but I know you"ll be with us in the Ellis pressbox this summer. Love Ya Cliff........
Luke Kruytbosch ( Phoenix , AZ )

April 15, 2008
To a true friend that will never be forgotten.
Mike Baize ( Evansville , IN )

April 15, 2008
Cliff wrote the final chapter of Last calls. As one of the Boys of Summer and longtime friend and Co-worker I will miss him. Only God knows how much.
Jerry Forke ( Independence , MO )

April 15, 2008
Cliff was a dear friend and an enthusiastic supporter of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Ellis Park College Scholarship program. On behalf of the KTA, please accept our thoughts and prayers for Cliff and his family. Someone else will take Cliff's job--but no one will ever take his place!
David W Schneck ( Louisville , KY )

April 15, 2008
I was shocked to hear of his death, he had stopped by the KTA office that Saturday AM for a visit before heading to Keenland.Everyone in the race horse business in Kentucky will miss him.
Lanny Kohnhorst ( Louisville , KY )

April 15, 2008
Memories of our glory days on Enlow Feild and our sweep of Sr. class officers with you as our election manager fill my mind this morning as I mourn your too early passing. Our 35th this summer will not be the same without you. I love you man....
Jimi Wilson (Evansville , IN)

April 15, 2008
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Stephanie Tsantis (Tell City, IN)

April 15, 2008
I remember Cliff as a little boy. My heart goes out to the whole family. May you always hold him in your heart and memories.
Magdi & Jean Salib ( Houston , TX )

April 15, 2008
My family will never forget Cliff's hospitality. When our house burned down in 1989 Cliff, who had been a friend of the family for many years, offered up his house across the street from Bosse for us to stay at. He had just purchased it and was still in the process of moving when the fire happened and decided to stay with Ruth until we were back in our house. We refused at first and didn't want to trouble Cliff but he wouldn't have it any other way. He would check on us often to make sure we were getting along alright. There is just no way to repay that kind of gesture. That's the man Cliff really was. When the chips were down he was the person who always came through for his friends. When my wife Dorothy, who always loved Cliff, passed away in 2006 he called late one night deep in his cups to console me and talk of the old days.
Larry Roll ( Evansville , IN )

April 15, 2008
I never met Cliff Guilliams but I rushed to page B2 of the Gleaner every day of racing season to see if his column was running that day. I loved reading his stories and thoroughly enjoyed the flavor he was able to capture. I will miss immensely his contribution to the sport and to the people who love and live it. My heartfelt condolences to Cliff's family and friends.
Newman ( Henderson , KY )

April 15, 2008
It still does not seem real that Cliff is no longer with us. I keep hoping that it is some cruel joke.
From the time I first met him in 1996 as an intern at Churchill Downs to seeing him at Keeneland for Saturday's Blue Grass, Cliff treated me like family and I always valued his friendship. His kindness, loyalty, sense of humor, honesty, and pure love of racing were just some of what made him great.
He taught me a lot about racing, especially concerning the sport in the Commonwealth of Kentucky .
I feel I will never be able to repay him for all the kindness and generosity he showed me over the years.
We shared a lot of laughs over the years and only wish I had a video tape of just some of the great times.
There was no one in the world who was a more gracious host than Cliff. From the BBQ's at his house to nights out at Furlong's, he would always make sure you were taken care of first.
The world is an emptier place without him and he will be sorely missed.
I will miss you "B" and tell the bartender upstairs to "lean on it."
Lane Gold ( New York , NY )

April 15, 2008
My annual trips to Ellis Park, were always highlighted by being with and sharing many years of stories with Cliff. He liked a win pic with Dad and me in 1938. A great man, writer, race tracker, and friend to me and all. His legacy will live on.
Fred Bradley ( Frankfort , KY )

April 16, 2008
Cliff's dedication, passion, and loyalty will never be forgotten by those were lucky enough to work with him.
My heartfelt sympathies to Susan, Ruth and his entire family.
David Miller (Little Canada , MN)

April 16, 2008
So long Pal I sure will miss you, especially at Ellis this summer.
Your friend Paulie (Paul) Robinson (Osprey, FL)

April 16, 2008
May God's Orchestra play "Hail to the Redskins" and heaven's chart state "Much the best".
Steve (Obie) Obrekaitis ( Louisville , KY )

April 16, 2008
I can't even imagine what this Spring or any other is going to be like without our Cliff here at Churchill. It WILL be a lot less colorful without him in person, but in spirit we will never be without him...I can still and will always hear him say "Ms Porter it’s all in the coaching". My love and prayers to Family and friends.
Bobbie Jo Porter ( Alexandria , KY )

April 16, 2008
I never had the pleasure of meeting Cliff but I am a childhood friend of his wife, Susan. I know he had to be very special for he is the love of Susan’s life. My prayers and sympathy are with all who knew this wonderful man.
Maryann Taylor ( Oak Harbor , WA )

April 16, 2008
Dear Susan....My heart goes out to you and Cliffs' family at this trying time. I'll never forget him introducing me to you at Schnucks and me always asking "when are you going to get married". He was so proud of you and beamed every time I asked about you.Keep your faith and know that he'll always be in your heart.
Sincerely, Tina Szymanowski (from Schnucks) ( Evansville , IN )

April 17, 2008
Here Saturday - Gone Sunday. How fragile our earthly existence.
Cliff was a rare man - really a throwback from an earlier era. Maybe that's why we were such good friends - we both had a taste of racing's glory days and were so disappointed when the bean counters took over our beloved sport and tradition and class exited the scene.
I hope Cliffy is having a Galiano stinger with Don Bernhardt and Joey Polaski at the best gin joint in heaven.
"Excitement '78 - God I love it."
Jude Feld ( Lexington , KY )

April 17, 2008
Will miss you Cliff, your pal frank from Indy, say hi to Indiana Frank.
-your friend always, Frank Begle ( Indianapolis , IN )

April 17, 2008
As everyone else has noted, Cliff was a true American original. The guy with the gruff exterior had one of the biggest hearts of anyone I've ever met. For better or worse, a lot of what I know about horse racing comes from him. The help he gave a young, naive sports writer many years ago will never be repaid.
I hope his wife, mother and the rest of his family and friends take solace from this outpouring of support. He was one of kind and left us much too soon. Titans of industry and leaders in government don't touch near as many people as Cliff did.
Michael Pointer ( Indianapolis , IN )

April 17, 2008
We'll all miss his presence at Churchill in the press box. Last time I saw him was in the paddock at Keeneland walking up the path with Nick Zito for the Bluegrass . Last thing I said to him was "Hey, Godoy". Only he and Chuck Scaravelli would understand. What a great character and loyal friend he was. Susan, I'm so glad you found each other. My heartfelt sympathy to you and his Mother and Sister.
MaryEllen Hickey Kegel ( Louisville , KY )

April 21, 2008
My sincere condolences to Cliff's wife and family. Cliff taught me much of what I knew while covering racing for the Lexington Herald and Dayton Daily News from 1977-90 and we became close friends. I still have a photo of us in my office celebrating Alysheba's Derby victory, he of course with cigar in hand. (Thanks to Cliff, I had the top two finishers in all three of my 3-horse exacta boxes.) I can still hear him on the backstretch in the days before the Derby saying, 'Just got another B-12 shot.' The fun times with him are among the most cherished in my sports writing career. Although I hadn't seen him for years, I emailed him before The Cliff's Edge's Derby and he said it was the highlight of his racing life. I'm sure he'll be there on the walkover on the first Saturday in May.
Marla Ridenour ( Sagamore Hills , OH )

April 22, 2008
Cliff, Last week I woke up at 4:38am with the bed shaking, the blinds rattling, the chandeliers swaying in the living room. Is this your way of not wanting to let go? Or your way of "crossing over" - kicking and complaining. Please be at peace now, no worries, no stress. I will be fine - I've got "The Boys" watching over me. I now understand why you took me on all those weekend trips to the counties, even when I said, "No, I'll stay home this time. That is your time; go be with your friends". You said, "Susan - my friends are YOUR Friends. Now get yourself moving, we are leaving in 10 minutes."
I have never said good bye to you. That was just my way. I'll close this morning like I always do - "You are a good man, Cliff. I love you".
Susan Guilliams ( Evansville , IN )