Wild Bill Wichrowski is tough. Actually, that’s an understatement. The guy has spent forty years staring down rogue waves in the Bering Sea, wrangling a crew of high-strung deckhands, and keeping the F/V Summer Bay afloat when the ocean tried its best to swallow it whole. But lately, the conversation around the silver-haired captain has shifted from king crab quotas to something much more personal.
If you’ve been keeping up with the show, you know things got heavy fast.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
It happened at the end of Season 19. While most of the fleet was worrying about ice and gear failure, Bill was handed a prostate cancer diagnosis. It wasn't just a "let's keep an eye on it" situation either; he had to jump into aggressive treatment almost immediately.
Honestly, watching it play out on screen during Season 20 was brutal but eye-opening. Bill didn't hide. He didn't retreat into some private mansion to deal with it in secret. Instead, he let the Discovery cameras follow him into the doctor's office. Why? Because he’s Wild Bill. He figured if he could show people that you can keep working while fighting the Big C, maybe he’d save a few lives.
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He’s gone on record saying he didn't want to "crawl into a shell." That’s just not his style. But even the toughest navy veteran has limits.
Why Deadliest Catch Wild Bill Isn't on Season 21
The big question everyone is asking right now: Where is Wild Bill in Season 21?
The short answer is he’s focusing on recovery. While Season 20 saw him trying to balance chemotherapy and hormone treatments with the grueling demands of the wheelhouse, it eventually became too much. There’s a limit to how much a body can take when your testosterone is being dropped to near zero by design—that’s a direct side effect of the hormone therapy he’s been undergoing.
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- Treatment specifics: He’s had radioactive seeds implanted and went through intense hormone therapy.
- The Physical Toll: Bill mentioned in a February 2025 update that while he feels "cancer-free," the treatment made him feel like "the clock has caught up."
- Official Status: Discovery reps confirmed he wouldn't be a fixture in the Season 21 episodes, which kicked off recently.
It’s a weird feeling watching the show without him. He’s the "old guard." Alongside Sig Hansen and Keith Colburn, Bill represents a disappearing era of crabbing. Seeing him take a back seat is a stark reminder that even the legends are human.
"I Seem to Be Cancer Free Now"
In early 2025, Bill shared some massive news on Facebook. He told fans his numbers were looking great. "I seem to be cancer free now," he wrote. That was the update everyone was praying for. But "cancer-free" doesn't mean "ready to pull 30-hour shifts in a frozen gale."
The recovery from prostate cancer treatment—especially the hormone side of things—is a marathon, not a sprint. It drains your energy. It messes with your muscle mass. For a guy who prides himself on being 15 years younger than his actual age, admitting that the treatment took a toll was a huge moment of vulnerability.
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He’s still keeping busy, though. He recently sold his famously restored '72 Chevy Blazer for a staggering $330,000. He’s spending time with his wife, Karen Gillis, who he credits with keeping him "in line" during the darkest months of his treatment.
Common Misconceptions About Bill's Status
People love a good rumor. You might hear people saying he’s retired for good or that the boat is sold.
- Is he retired? Not officially. Bill has always said he'll fish until he can't. Right now, he just can't at the level required for the show's filming schedule.
- Is the Summer Bay gone? No, the vessel is still part of the legacy, though you’ll see different faces or a reduced role for the boat while the Captain recovers.
- Is it "fake" for TV? Look, reality TV always has a bit of polish, but you can't fake a biopsy or the look on a man's face when he's talking about his mortality. This was as real as it gets.
What’s Next for the Captain?
The Bering Sea is a jealous mistress; she doesn't like to let go. But for now, Wild Bill is winning the only fight that actually matters. Whether he returns for Season 22 or decides to stick to the warmer waters of Mexico and Costa Rica for sportfishing, his impact on the show is permanent.
He shifted the narrative from just "tough guys catching crab" to "tough guys facing life." That's a legacy that sticks.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Supporters:
- Get Screened: Bill’s biggest message throughout this whole ordeal has been early detection. If you’re a man of a certain age, or if you have symptoms like back pain or urinary changes, don't "tough it out." Get the blood work done.
- Follow Official Channels: For the most accurate updates, stick to Bill’s official Facebook page or Discovery’s press releases. The rumor mill on TikTok and YouTube can be a mess of outdated info.
- Support Prostate Cancer Research: If you want to honor Bill's journey, consider donating to organizations like the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). He used his platform to raise awareness; you can use yours to help find a cure.