Bill Keller sent out a 384-word memo this morning announcing that William Grimes will become the new obit writer for the paper.

Here's the memo:

To the Staff:

There are some bylines that are, by general acclamation, must reads. William Grimes is one. No matter the subject, no matter the headline, Biff’s name atop a column of type is enough to encourage a reader to take the plunge. It’s a byline that carries a signature, a blend (or call it a cocktail — Biff wrote a book about drinks) of gentle wit, graceful style
and wide-ranging erudition.  read more »

]]> http://www.observer.com/2008/william-grimes-new-obit-writer-times#comments Media Bill Keller William Grimes Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:13:30 -0500 John Koblin 66123 at http://www.observer.com http://www.observer.com/node/44530 At 9:21 p.m.  read more »]]> http://www.observer.com/node/44530#comments Don Evans Marika Somerstein Neil Annis William Grimes Sun, 03 Jun 2001 20:00:00 -0400 Jeffrey Schwarz 44530 at http://www.observer.com http://www.observer.com/node/43597 The heavy double doors of wood and frosted glass opened a bit, and Alain Ducasse peered warily out o  read more »]]> http://www.observer.com/node/43597#comments Media Alain Ducasse Gwnelle Guguen The New York Times Company William Grimes Sun, 05 Nov 2000 19:00:00 -0500 Frank DiGiacomo 43597 at http://www.observer.com http://www.observer.com/node/42598 Fully Committed , the backstage restaurant show beloved by restaurant critics and celebrity chefs, i  read more »]]> http://www.observer.com/node/42598#comments Arts & Culture Bernard Gersten David Bouley Vienna William Grimes Sun, 20 Feb 2000 19:00:00 -0500 John Heilpern 42598 at http://www.observer.com http://www.observer.com/node/42382 Zagat 2000!Tim and Nina Zagat have big plans for the 21st century.  read more »]]> http://www.observer.com/node/42382#comments Media Jessica Lange Nina Zagat Oliver Stone William Grimes Sun, 26 Dec 1999 19:00:00 -0500 Frank DiGiacomo 42382 at http://www.observer.com