Posted on August 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM by Emily Saveraid
Bill Schilling began his 4-H career as a Chickasaw County Happy Hustlers club member. When his family moved, he transitioned his membership to the Ionia Rustlers 4-H club and completed his nine-year 4-H career. When Bill’s children were old enough to join 4-H, they joined the Chickasaw Clover Kids program. Bill would step in to volunteer when needed. His commitment grew as his kids grew. Before he knew it, he emerged as a co-leader and later club leader of the Devon Dreamers 4-H club. He also took on the role of coach for the club softball team. He organized group practice and games against other county club teams throughout the summer until the big county softball tournament held at summer’s end.
Bill served as a very active Chickasaw Youth Development Committee member and the 4-H pet superintendent. He drove the 4-H float with the County Council and 4-H members and shared his grilling skills while chaperoning the annual county-wide senior and intermediate fun night pool party. He always enjoyed visiting with youth while managing his volunteer duties. Bill was known for his humor and creativity on how to get tired youth to clean up at the end of the overnight lock-ins. Bill shares memories of recreating the well-known chicken BBQ during the county fair to celebrate the Iowa 4-H centennial. He was instrumental in developing the 4-H portable pop-up sales at the fair that evolved into a permanent concession stand once the new show barn was built.
In 2001, Bill was awarded the Chickasaw County 4-H Alumni Award for his dedication to the county 4-H program. It’s now time to honor his commitment to the 4-H program as a 2024 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame member.
