Bill Bird was initially trained as a newspaper and public relations expert but five pin bowling became the ultimate benefactor of these talents.

Born in 1940, in Toronto, Bill Bird studied journalism at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, and through the late fifties and early sixties worked for a variety of newspapers including the Toronto Star, the Simcoe Reformer, the Stratford Beacon Herald and the Kingston Whig Standard. At these various papers, Bill worked with such notables as "Jocko" Thomas, Paul Rimstead, Fred Ross and Milt Dunnell.

While in Stratford, Bill met Rozanne and they married in 1962. Their first daughter, Cheryl, was born a year later followed by Wendy in 1966.

The demands of the newspaper business began to take their toll and Bill moved to the public relations field, first with Honeywell in Toronto and then to Falconbridge in Sudbury.

In Canada’s Centennial Year, 1967, Bill served as the elected President of Canadian Industrial Editors’ Association and was a founding Director to the International Association of Business Communications. Between 1964 and 1978, he earned a score of prestigious national and international awards for excellence in corporate communication.

The move to Sudbury in 1968 set the stage for the third phase of Bill’s career and one that would have a dramatic effect on Ontario’s bowlers.

The Bird family bought a home in Hammer in 1969 and initially, Cheryl and Wendy joined the Youth Bowling Council and Rozanne took up a ladies league.

In 1973, the bowling centre, Ray’s Bowl, became the first decentralized centre in Ontario and Rozanne, not Bill, was on the first executive. However, by 1974, Bill joined the D.C. board and also became a member of the Master Bowlers Association.

Never short of energy, Bill expanded his horizons and, in 1975, was the founding President of the revived Nickel District 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association. Almost overnight, twelve new decentralized associations were formed throughout the Sudbury area and the O5PBA membership grew to 7,000. Bill began a bowling column in the Sudbury Sun to compliment a monthly newsletter that was distributed throughout the Nickel District, and a successful "Bowl for Millions" campaign was launched. In addition, Bill initiated a similar effort in North Bay and his efforts resulted in a new Gateway Zone comprising of North Bay along with Timmins, St. Charles and Sturgeon Falls.

These efforts were recognized by the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers Association as Bill was awarded the prestigious "executive of the Year" award in 1978. Following that, he was hired as Program Director by the O5PBA in September of that year.

From a staff position, Bill was now able to use his talents provincially, nationally and even on a world-wide level. He participated in the first international small ball championships in Manila, the Philippines and also coordinated a second effort in 1983 that involved Canada, the United States, the Philippines and Argentina.

Nationally, Bill attended the 1978 meetings in Thunder Bay that not only established the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers Association but also set in place the Northern Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers Association as a separate province.

Provincially, Bill was a true builder. Through his travels across the province, new zones were founded in Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence Valley, Toronto and Agincourt and the O5PBA decentralized program flourished. Bill spearheaded the drive for increased grants through Wintario and these funds allowed the programs of the O5PBA to grow beyond expectations.

Bill worked closely with several volunteers to mould programs that are the foundation of our organization today. With Ross Wilson of Fenelon Falls, Bill convinced Bert Garside to change the first prize in the lottery from new cars to trips to Florida. With Dave Pierce, the O5PBA lawyer, Bill developed the Nevada ticket program and our organization was the first to be allowed to sell tickets publicly. With Gord Passmore, he wrote "Green Book" that completely outlines each O5PBA tournament. With Eric Whittaker, an O5PBA Vice-President at the time, Bill revived the Hall of Fame Program and raised it to the stature it enjoys today.

The O5PBA Convention has enjoyed 30 years and it was at this annual affair that Bill was at his best. His characters such as "Llewellyn B. Watermelon" and "Blue Boy" would be classics on any stage but it was really the Incentive Award speeches that will stay with the volunteer forever. This volunteer recognition was always delivered by Bert Garside, but in 1980, he turned the speech preparation and delivery over to Bill and, be assured, the volunteer never felt better than to receive an award from the O5PBA through Bill’s magical words.

Bill’s world was largely bowling oriented, but in his early days, he tried to make Rozanne a golf widow. Today, Bill prefers hunting and fishing expeditions to his camp in Northern Ontario and, on those trips, his companion is a purebred Keeshond dog named "Nicki". Also, despite his province-wide travels, Bill has managed two hundred and forty-five blood donations to the Red Cross, a figure matched by only ten other individuals in Canada.

Bill Bird left the O5PBA in 1987, but his heart has stayed with the organization. He has been a regular Florida visitor in November and has coached several Open teams. Looking back, he is especially proud of his accomplishments, both on and off the lanes. However, Bill admits that without the support of his wife of 34 years, Rozanne, and the patience of the daughters Cheryl and Wendy, none of it would have been possible.