By Julie Rossman
Correspondent
It was a picture perfect day for the 32nd annual Union Grove Lion’s Club Chicken BBQ and classic car show on Sunday.
The weather was amazing, Lions Club volunteers worked to cook and sell nearly 2,100 chicken halves and huge crowds showed up to enjoy the great food and classic cars.
But there was something, or someone, missing.
Bill Heinz, who lived, worked and volunteered in the community he loved for so many years, passed away May 26, at age 87.
“He was an amazing man,” said Frank Lamping, who served on the Lions Club with Bill for the past 23 years. “He was so valuable to the club,” he added.
Lamping, of Union Grove, said Bill did so many “behind the scenes” things for the annual chicken BBQ, including: getting tickets printed and organized into packets for members to sell; handling all the publicity before the event, which includes typing, printing; and mailing out 72 press releases (it was about a year ago that Bill learned to use the computer to make the job easier.)
He also hung up all the signs related to the event, worked as the liaison between the Lions and the Lioness’ clubs and was the club’s photographer. In addition, Bill was instrumental in establishing and promoting the car show held in conjunction with the event.
Each year, after the annual dinner, he’d get his pictures developed and printed, count up all the money and then prepare a six- to eight-page report on the event.
According to his daughters, Bill’s volunteer spirit didn’t stop with the Lions Club.
Both he and his wife, Ethel, who passed away in 2009, spent countless hours volunteering at the library, church, schools – wherever they were needed, – all while raising four daughters.
These four daughters gathered Sunday at the chicken BBQ, and took a few moments to reflect on their dad.
Lora Heinz, Union Grove, said Bill had a wonderful work ethic.
“He wanted to make the community a better place to be,” Lora said, adding that whatever he did, he always had a smile on his face.
“He had a big heart – he’d do anything for anybody,” said daughter Ellen Primuth, Racine.
Many folks will remember Bill’s smiling face behind the pharmacy counter at Hauper Pharmacy, where he worked and which he later co-owned, for a total of 39 years.
“He was just an ace of a guy,” said long-time Lions Club member Giles Williams. “I worked with Bill a lot – he did so many things for this club and the community,” Williams added.
Up until a few months ago, Bill was still working at his volunteer jobs. Williams admits, with Bill’s absence, the club had to scramble a bit this year to get everything done.
The Lions Club Chicken BBQ will undoubtedly go on in the future.
Other members will take on the duties so diligently performed by Bill Heinz, for so many years.
But it won’t be the same.
“He was always pushing us, always reminding us to keep working hard,” Lamping said, adding that Bill has left some big shoes to fill.
“He’s gonna be missed – not just at the chicken BBQ, but all the time,” Lamping said.
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