The first time I met Willie was in 1986 at the Edinburgh International Folk  Festival which took place in Teviot Row, Bristo Square, Edinburgh.
I was browsing the music stall, Brydon in charge, when a man appeared with 2 vacuum flasks, one filled with tea, the other with home made soup, both for Brydon.  It was Willie but he had no plans to stick around & retrieved a telescope & binoculars from under the table.
He explained that Halley’s Comet, which only comes around every 76 years or so, ought to be visible that night & he was setting up an observation point in Teviot.  
I always remember his kindness in making the equipment freely available to anyone who was interested in the comet & of course willing to give him a shout should it make an appearance.
Between his ‘sets’ Willie would dash off to have another look.