Q: When did you first join R4R and how did you learn about us.
A: It was in early 2023 when my dear friend, Lindsay DaRosa began working for R4R. I soon joined the organization for a couple of reasons. I got back into running back in 2014 to raise funds for blood cancer. My wife Anita was diagnosed with blood cancer back in 2010 and fought the disease for almost 11 years before passing in early 2021. When I first began running and fundraising for blood cancer, we had a very large group of runners. However, over the years, the numbers dwindled to the point that there were only a few of us in the Sacramento area still involved. I was getting tired of doing a lot of runs on my own, so joining R4R was a great way to meet up with other runners at a variety of times and locations.
Q: It’s Father’s Day this month! What has been your greatest joy in being a father.
A: Raising two amazing daughters has been a joy. I always believed that parents should raise their kids with their values, and, then step back and let them grow into adults. After watching their mom undergo a bone marrow transplant, my youngest daughter Haley told us back in 2012, that she had signed up to do a half marathon to honor her mother and to raise money for blood cancer. She completed the race in 2012, but my wife and I were away and could not be at the race. The next year, she signed up to do a full marathon in San Francisco, and we were there to watch her finish. When she crossed the finish line I turned to my oldest daughter Allison with tears in my eyes and said, “If your sister can complete a full marathon to honor her mother, next year you and I will join her in running and raising money for blood cancer.” Starting in 2014 my daughters and I have run many half and full marathons and raised quite a bit of money for blood cancer patients and their families.
Q: What has been your most unusual or interesting job?
A: My family owned a lumber company in Southern California. Starting when I was in junior high, I worked most summers at the business. I learned to drive a forklift and roller bed truck. The money I earned helped me afford to go to a local college and get a bachelor’s degree.
Q: How do you like to spend your free time? Any hobbies of note?
A: I have a wood working shop set up in my garage and love to make a variety of things including many wooden Christmas decorations. I also love to re-purpose items. For this upcoming holiday season, I am working on several Charlie Brown decorations.
Q: What is something that most people don’t know you?
A: Back in the early 1960’s I was in a boy scout troop in Southern California. The troop leader and one of the assistants held a driver’s license for a school bus. For two consecutive summers, they rented a school bus from the school district and drove the troop to Yosemite, and we camped for two weeks at a time. We did all kinds of hikes and swam in the rivers. I fell in love with Yosemite and when I retired from work in 2009, I have done a volunteer workweek almost every summer. This year I will be working a week in August in Tuolumne Meadows doing climber access route restoration work.
Q: What has been your proudest moment since being part of R4R family?
A: It was cheering on the CIM R4R runners back in 2024. It was so great to be with the group and ringing cowbells for a couple of hours as we provided encouragement to the runners!
Q: If you were a vegetable, what would you be and why?
A: I would be a beet and not just because my first name is Bill. Beets are a great source of antioxidants and support cardiovascular health.
Q: How would you describe your Runnin’ for Rhett experience to a child?
A: Getting outdoors and getting in motion is a great way to start your day! For the kids that are a little older I can use one of my favorite phrases: “I eat hills for breakfast!”
