Bill Joeckel Red-breasted Merganser

William "Bill" Joeckel (1921-2010) Islip Terrace, NY, 1971 17 in. long

Not only a renowned decoy carver and collector, Bill was a WWII and Korean War US Army veteran, a commercial waterman, a hunter, a fisherman, and a trainer of retriever field trial champions. The underside of the detailed body is signed, dated, and inscribed by the maker. Original paint with light wear and a tight crack by neck seam.