Wren and Edie both knew Horne well and shared stories and laughs, with a group of over 50 friends and family, including Bill's wife, Donna, who he met at a ball game in Pinafore park, daughter Jocelyn and her husband, Patrick Leahy and their children, Sloane and Fallon.
"For everyone here, the memories are in our hearts and thoughts of all the good times we had with Bill," said Wren. "He looked after the ball park and made sure the kids had a place to play."
Horne's career in fastball started as a pitcher, including records of 19-3 and 20-2, while in the Memorial League in 1973 and 74. Horne was also dominant as a batter, leading the league with a .341 average in 1975.
It was Horne's magic as a coach and manager that made him a legend in his sport.
Horne led Fingal to the junior Canadians in 1994, the first time since 1967 a local team had made it to the National championship. In the late 90s, he managed teams to three consecutive Ontario Amateur Softball Association (OASA) championships and a gold medal at Canadians.
"His career in managing is not matched by too many people," said Wren, adding with a laugh, so was Horne's appetite for buffets and steak houses where ever his teams were playing ball.
Fastball fans in St. Thomas will remember Horne brought the senior Canadians to St. Thomas, in 1999, 2005 and 2009.
With Horne at the helm, the St. Thomas Evergreen Centennials, won the senior National title, in 2005 and 2006 and took bronze, in both 2007 and 2009.
"Bill is a Canadian fastball icon," Edie said. "His career as manager and builder is Hall of Fame worthy. He was very dedicated to providing local players a place to play at the highest level."
Horne had his ways of coaching and opinions on the game.
Wren shared a memory of when he and Horne attended an OASA meeting.
"Bill wasn't a politician. He was very direct at telling anyone there their idea was not very good. On the way home, I would listen to a good idea," said Wren, with a smile. "To say Bill was constructively critical was probably accurate and controversial at times."
Still, Horne was well respected throughout the softball community.
"Players loved to play for him. He did a remarkable job putting successful teams together year after year," said Edie. "We talked about the way the game has changed and how he was steadfast and not changing the way he coached. That style of play became affectionately known as Billy ball. Our team was still bunting, stealing and running, when a lot of teams were relying on home runs. Billy ball was successful and fun."
Many of the players Horne coached, continue to play.
"Bill's passion was infectious and definitely passed on to many of us," Edie said. "A lot of guys he coached in junior and senior are still playing, in their 40s and 50s."