Death does not void a legal signature. I clearly stated that I had an original bill of sale from the owner of record that had not been assigned. None of the owners in the chain had ever filled in their information and registered the aircraft. If as you stated there was a paper trail to the next guy then I assume the next guy had already filled in the bill of sale to him. That being the case he would need to complete the registration and sign a bill of sale to you. If however the bill of sale had never been assigned (filled in with the new owner information) you would simply complete the bill of sale and send it in. At least per the Wichita, KS FSDO.