Much has been said about the relationship between William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, especially after Nimoy passed away in 2015 and Shatner did not attend Nimoy's funeral. In a recent interview with Variety [via CinemaBlend], Shatner revealed that he was one of the celebrities raising money for the Red Cross which was being held the same day of Nimoy's funeral, and he had an obligation to Mar-a-Largo at a fundraiser for the charity. He chose to fulfill his obligation.
Prior to Nimoy's passing, the former castmates, who had been friends for fifty years, had become distant, a fact which Shatner said he tried to rectify in the time leading up to his friend's death. According to The Daily Star, Shatner attempted to get in touch with Nimoy, even writing what he calls "a heartfelt letter" letting him know how much he loved him. He wanted to see Nimoy, but he didn't receive a response. And Shatner was "hurt" and "devastated."
Julie Nimoy offered an explanation as to why her father had chosen not to see Shatner before he died. She said Nimoy loved Shatner, but "he couldn't face seeing him as his health steadily got worse." The words brought some comfort to Shatner who wants to believe that was the reason he didn't see his friend.
"Somebody said they’ve known people who got ill and didn’t want to see anyone because they were ill, and I’d like to say that was the reason.”"William Shatne
Shatner wrote a book, "Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendshi,p with a Remarkable Man" that was released in 2017. A New York Times Bestseller, the book details the relationship between Shatner and Nimoy and takes readers on an emotional journey that, in the end, leaves no doubt as to the friendshp that existed between the pair.