Growing up in Darlington, Bill Douglas learned a lot about serving others, music and basketball.
The retired car salesman of 30 years continues to serve others and is being recognized as a Journal Review Shining Star.
Douglas, who works 20 hours per week at the Crawfordsville District Public Library, was nominated for the award by the library’s gallery coordinator and library assistant Toni Ridgway-Woodall. She mentioned his dedication to the community and his charity work.
“(Bill) comes to work at the library’s reference desk every week in a great mood and the patrons love him,” Ridgway-Woodall wrote. “He even gave his time to entertain us at our holiday staff party. Bill deserves to be recognized for his positive outlook and willingness to help others.”
Douglas credits his servant heart to his mother Ruth, who worked many years as a server at a local restaurant and surrounded her life with music from singing to playing the piano at church.
“My mother had a great influence in my life and it was surrounded with music,” Douglas said. “She was full of love for music and people. And she taught us to serve others. I watched her give she had nothing to give.”
After a successful Darlington High School career along with his brother Rich Douglas, Bill sold vehicles in the county for 30 years. Today his work at the library is just an extension of serving others.
“When I tell my basketball buddies I am working at a library they can’t believe it,” Douglas said. “I understand. I am a basketball jock who didn’t pick up a lot of books. But I enjoy it and I get to help people and be around people.”
Douglas continues to use music to serve. He recently visited a local nursing home with a jazz band. He used his karaoke machine while dressed in an Elvis suit. He led residents in singing and even got one lady out of her chair to dance.
“We had a lot of fun and there were a lot of smiles from the residents,” Douglas said. “If I can make someone’s day a little happier then that is what makes me happy.”
Douglas believes using music can help others recall events in their lives and add a moment of positivity to anyone’s day.
“Music touches the soul more than anything,” Douglas said. “Music can help us remember happy times and even help us remember something we might have forgotten.”
Douglas, who has been called the library’s social director, said his love for people has been a driving force in his life. And, he is happy he is allowed to continue serving and making people smile at the local library.
