SPOTLIGHT ON...
Bill Anderson
Story written by Lynda Stevens
“Mother was a member of CCUMC in the 80s. I was working in the restaurant business back then and wasn’t able to get Sundays off, but with her encouragement I’d accompany her whenever I could. Bob Brown was the Pastor...how I loved to hear him preach.” These were the first words from Bill’s mouth when I sat down with him.
This connection not only brought Bill, but his sister, Pam, to our church. Along with their brother Jon, they grew up in the Presbyterian church in Bloomington, Illinois. Bill sang in the choir. During his school years, he enjoyed working in summer theater at Illinois State University, assisting with set building, lighting and props. He furthered this passion by studying theater at Wesleyan University in Illinois and at Northern Illinois University which led to performing in a play called Promenade All, directed by Dan Castellaneta...the voice we all recognize as Homer Simpson. Music was a hobby of Bill’s and he grew to love and play the guitar. From his early 20s through his late 30s, he performed in churches, talent shows, nightclubs, and other special events.
After college and moving to New Smyrna Beach, Bill worked in the restaurant business and attended culinary school at Daytona State College. His schedule at the Chart House restaurant allowed him to
return to college classes, where he obtained a teaching degree. He taught 7th grade ‘Exceptional Student Education’ at Galaxy Middle School in Deltona for 6 years then moved to New Smyrna Beach Middle School teaching from 2003 until his retirement in 2020.
Bill’s gifts keep on giving. He’s written a self-published novel available on Amazon called Ghost and the Butterflies... the genre is the paranormal. I’m sorry, but I won’t let you in on the story even though he shared some of it with me. For you fans out there, look for his book under the author name Carleton Anderson. Bill is also working on two trilogies.
Volunteering is a big part of Bill’s life. From Colors of Hunger, his weekly stint at the church Boutique, helping at Cudas Unhooked, which provides lunch to high school students, teaching Sunday School, Bible School, serving as a member of the Scholarship Committee, mentoring a high school student for 4 years...a Coronado Scholarship recipient. Bill also enjoys being a member of the church’s book and video club. You’ve all probably seen and heard Bill’s narration for the church’s cantatas, and he acts as liturgist on occasion.
Despite receiving the diagnosis of Parkinson’s in 2024, Bill continues to be able to do almost everything on his own. His tremors are increasing, but slowly thankfully. He used to work the projection screens once a month for our worship services but he’s had to give that up. He shared that he’s a candidate for Deep Brain Stimulation at Shands, in Jacksonville, and awaits more news to that end. This therapy will help with his tremors.
Bill’s family consists of his sister, Pam, (brother Jon sadly has passed); Jon’s wife in South Carolina along with a nephew and great nephew; a niece living in McClean, Virginia with her husband and 4 children; another niece, a Rector in the Episcopal Church, who lives in the Bronx, New York with her children; and a great niece who is currently attending the Coast Guard Academy and visiting Bill and Pam in a few days at the time of this writing.
I’m sure you all join me in wishing a very positive outcome for Bill’s acceptance into the Deep Brain Stimulation therapy.
Thank you Bill for sharing your story and your positive outlook on life.
