Old Man Lives on Floating Fortress on the California Delta

Deep in the California delta are members of the Super Secret Ship Club, a loose fraternity of men and women who’ve wanted nothing more than to hold out on the water. Most are just legends today - but Bill Conner, 89, is alive. Once an active-duty U.S. Marine, he has flown an American flag above his floating compound on a secluded arm of the San Joaquin River for four decades.
He and his wife once owned what used to be a family resort, called Lost Isle. After years of entertaining summer boaters on a spit of palm trees and sandy riverbanks, they sold the property. It became a party destination for the muscle-boat set with thatched-roof bars and wet-T-shirt contests - until a fatal stabbing presaged its shutdown. After they sold, Conner’s wife moved to the mainland. He moved to a barge.
Since 1981, that barge has morphed into a convoy of anchored boats and platforms outfitted with tiki decor that Conner has called home. The peculiar river fortress houses fern gardens, an exercise bike, a propane stove, musical instruments and a 55-gallon plastic drum to collect drinking water.
“You do a little gardening, you get tired, you take a nap,” said Conner, forced by recent surgeries to spend time resting at a marina outside Stockton. “A lot of people would like to do this: have your own island and live happily ever after.”
Credit: Carlos Avila Gonzalez
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[@Wonderhussy]

I love this man and everything he stands for

[@caliskiers]

Thank you Carlos. This video was very well made and what a life of real freedom this incredible man knew. Rest in Peace Bill and thank you for your service.

[@jonch47av8r8]

Also a true patriot and great American who served our national well - Semper fi!

[@Acadian.FrenchFry]

I hope he is able to recover and go back soon. I used to live in a houseboat on the Delta. It was beautiful, but it has it's downside too.

[@JorgeS-eh3iw]

I been thinking about living on a house boat out here on the delta . As you being someone with experience having done it , what would you say is are the down sides ? Also did you live on a marina or just off the docks in the water ? Just curious

[@Acadian.FrenchFry]

@@JorgeS-eh3iw It was a houseboat I rented on a private dock. The downsides are mostly weather. There's no insulation on the water so if it's hot the boat is hot and if it's cold the boat is cold. And getting the temp decent in the boat is kind of a pain. I didn't own the boat, but I know they would sometimes have to hire divers to clean off the bottom. Also some issues you need to be able to dry dock the boat to repair. Like all things there are challenges. Also if you have pets keeping that boat temp controlled in the summer is important. As well as being mindful of your pets falling in the water. My dog fell in the water once between the boat and dock and we dove in to rescue him. He had jumped on that boat 100 times, but it took one time for him to disappear. We saved him and had to wrap him in towels and I held him next to the heater as this was winter and that water was cold!! It was so cold I almost drowned because my muscles started locking up. Those are my experiences. I also have lots of good ones to off set those. Oh and another I remember is when people go by too fast and the wakes are bad and it can really rock your boat, no pun intended. Things can fall over, etc.

[@laurencecasalettolll5785]

It's so nice to see nothing but kind comments for this gentleman! I would like to add mine to them and wish him the best!!🤞

[@melvin151515]

I love the Delta. In the SF Bay Area, if you mention it, people will say they have heard of the delta but never been. I probably spend two months of the year just wandering around back sloughs. No cars, very few people.

[@rgs4x]

I use to go to Lost Isle. The muscle boat crowd definitely ruined everything.

[@friedpickles342]

You've probably seen my band play there.

[@BasVossen]

Stories to share? I'm working on a book about Lost Isle....

[@tracyishealing911]

100% correct.

[@tracyishealing911]

@@BasVossen I have childhood stories? My brother and I spent every weekend there for 3-4 years. Four of us kids- me, my brother, and Bill and Georgia’s kids Eric and Cindy- Island rats we were! Together with their lab Blackie we were inseparable. The island was our back ward; all the boats tied up-that was our playground. We slept under the stars while mom and dad danced and drank Mai tai’s, and when Eric and Cindy couldn’t camp out with us Blackie stayed with us all night long. Treasured memories. Lots of stories.

[@carpy1252]

@@tracyishealing911 Recently discovering the delta, it's like a whole different world really.

[@cuttersgoose]

This is a great story.... moral: go out and make your dream a reality..

[@mikeerickson1524]

Miss being on the Delta!

[@umadbro1570]

I remember him at lost isle when I was a kid 30 years ago

[@tracyishealing911]

My brother and I spent every weekend at Lost Isle with Bill and his wife Georgia and their kids Eric and Cindy. Late60s. My parents were friends with them and had a house tent on the island. Eric n Cindy had a black lab named Blackie who slept with us kids under the stars. The smell of creosote and the creaking of the docks was everywhere. There were some cool little private beaches on the island- so fun playing on them, especially when giant barges went by and threw big wakes.

[@umadbro1570]

The ostrich he had

[@infoatnorcal2304]

this is a wonderful story. thank you for sharing.

[@averagecarguy420]

This is the guy that was in the riverboat mailman video!

[@timothycurtin5552]

I do the same thing been living on my houseboat for 15 years and I would never live on land again

[@csworks9525]

Love what he said at the end!

[@salvatoresikilacci8460]

God blessed you wise man

[@mikbe2579]

MiLind, a 1971 7.5m Dutch steel Polaris Curtevenne by Kortenhoef in

[@paulgrimm]

God Bless Him

[@jefferymaxfield7826]

Respect!!

[@shanerobinson7128]

That’s awesome. He seems happy and that’s all that matters. He’s on delta time as they say.

[@notachannel4u]

Cool place!

[@Jst12341]

Hope Bill makes it back to his boat.

[@dantecarpino7500]

I wonder where he goes to the bathroom I hope it floats to the bay and if he eats the catfish some of them stink like a skunk ! And he's living the dream!Amen!