Our Meals on Wheels recipient Bill is originally from Miles City, Montana, in the eastern portion of the state, which is regarded for its subtle beauty and the values of hard work, resilience, and community. Our Meals on Wheels recipient, Bill, a proud native of Miles City, has carried those values with him throughout his life while raising a family, and today, as he battles an eye condition that has left him unable to drive.
Bill is eager to share his stories of growing up there, especially his athletic achievements and the various jobs he held.
“I did a bit of everything in high school - I was the sports editor of the school newspaper, I played football, wrestled, did track and field, and even had the privilege of playing Butte Central in the state football championship at the famous Naranche Stadium in Butte in 1973," Bill says.
“After high school, I got a job at a workshop helping developmentally disabled people build and refinish furniture and other wood products. I then took a job working at group homes for the developmentally disabled.”
Bill worked in group homes for several years before getting a job managing a Town Pump convenience store, and was eventually transferred to East Helena, where he stayed, working and raising his family of two children with his wife. After years of work and providing for his family, life began to change. Toward the end of his career, Bill developed serious vision problems and was diagnosed with an irreversible eye condition that gradually impaired his sight. In 2020, he made the difficult decision to give up driving.
Bill, who had long known of Rocky and its resources, reached out for assistance he knew he would need after losing his ability to drive. This was when he got started with the Meals on Wheels Program.
Today, Bill receives meals five days a week with frozen meals on Friday that help him through the weekend. These meals are the main source of Bill’s nutrition. He gets creative with them and finds ways to supplement his other meals throughout the day.
“The meals help a lot. I wake up early and have a light breakfast in the mid-morning using the milk I receive in my Meals on Wheels delivery for cereal. I then have my delivered meal late in the afternoon, setting aside salad and veggies from that meal to eat with my late-night dinner. I thank God for Meals on Wheels, and you can quote me on that.”
With the help of Meals on Wheels and his own determination and positive attitude, Bill has remained independent and connected to his community. He enjoys riding his bike in the warmer months to various community events and East Helena High football games.
