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.
Në tetor 1949 — tre vjet pasi ishte martuar me Rozën dhe tre muaj pas lindjes së vajzës së tyre, Vikit — Billit i thanë se kishte një tumor kanceroz në njërën nga kordat e zërit dhe tumori u hoq.