Bill Willis

Bill Willis
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Bill Willis won't take any credit when asked about all the things he has done for children since taking over as president of the Green Bay Area Great Lakes Sports Fishermen a little over six years ago.Instead, he talks about the time and energy his club's other 200 members have devoted to their children's projects.

But it's Willis, 61, who initiated all of them, and it's Willis who travels across the state to meet with politicians and legislators to serve as the voice of the fisherman.Among other things, he wants to see the youth of today have opportunities to learn about the sport of fishing.

That's why Willis was selected as the Green Bay Press-Gazette/WFRV-TV Everyday Hero for 2003 in the youth activities category.
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Willis is the chairman of the Fishermen's Partnership with Special Olympics, which started 16 years ago to provide the chance for people of all ages to fish at least one day a year.The 2004 event is scheduled for March 22 at the Armory on Military Avenue.

"When people think they are down in the dumps or think they have problems, I tell them to come and spend a day out here with me and see these people when they come out that one day a year," Willis said."I don't know who has more fun, us or them.You get to know these people on a first-name basis, and you know that you have given them one more day of outstanding fun."

Willis and his club cover almost the entire cost of the Special Olympics Day, which includes building and storing a water tank and stocking it with hundreds of trout.
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Willis also helped start a fishing day for kids at the NEW Zoo and Reforestation Camp last June.

The event provided almost 300 kids with the chance to catch 700 bluegills that were placed in the pond.Willis was interested in starting the project after remembering how successful a similar one used to be at Bay Beach.He worked with the Thursday Morning Breakfast Optimist Club to make the event happen.

"Bill is the instrument, right now, that is driving everything in the club," said Steve Seilo, a friend of Willis."Bill is the instrument, right now, that is driving everything in the club," said Steve Seilo, a friend of Willis.
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Willis also initiated the donation of 24 rod-and-reel combinations to Toys for Tots this year.

"It keeps me busy," said Willis of his projects.