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Bill Wilson
Bill Wilson's wife, Susan, knows exactly who he is and what he is. When she nominated him for Centerville High School's prestigious Gerry Hall Service Award, her letter read, "He has donated thousands of hours to Centerville's youth, and his wallet hasn't gotten fatter."
Dwayne Pullins, Centerville's middle schools athletic director says, "Whatever I need done, whatever job it is, I know all I have to do is call Bill Wilson and he's there. Anything you ask, anything to be involved in Centerville athletics."
Wilson, 58, is a customer service representative for Weiler Welding, but he is better known as that guy always around Centerville sports.
• He has been involved in the Wee Elks football program as a coach for 17 years.
• He was involved in Centerville youth basketball programs for 11 years.
• He was involved in Centerville youth baseball programs for 11 years, coaching select and all-star teams.
• He coached a church basketball team at Southminster Presbyterian.
• For the last 13 years, he has been a press-box spotter and/or announcer at high school and junior high games in Centerville.
For winning the Gerry Hall Award, he was given $1,000. He donated $500 to the Wee Elks for blocking sleds and $500 to the high school baseball program to purchase shoes and equipment for players who can't afford it.
In his words
"I started because of my son, Andy, but continued when he was gone because I like coaching and feel I not only have something to offer but that the kids always teach me something, too. Even though you have no kids in the program, it is good to give something back to the community.
"The only time I get paid is doing announcing during the high school playoffs at Centerville, even if we're not in them. Other than that, I get to trudge up and down the bleachers with Susan and I get a Coke and a hot dog. And it's worth it.
"My son, Andy, played with A.J. Hawk and Nick Mangold on the Wee Elks. We knew A.J. was something special in the second grade — always bigger, faster and stronger than the other kids. He always played up a level until the sixth grade. It was such a pleasure to see A.J. get better and better. From our sixth-grade team that A.J. played on, seven players went on to play Division I football.
"Am I a Reds fan? Oh, heck yeah. There are only three teams in Ohio — the Reds, Browns and Buckeyes. Only us old-timers know what the 'elf' means to Browns fans. And I'm a Wright State fan, a season-ticket holder, because I graduated from Wright State."
Congratulations Bill Wilson – 2007 Gerry Hall Service Award Winner.
*** Anyone wishing to give information on potential candidates or donations to help endow this award can send those to thegkhalls@msn.com.
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