Bill Asbury: Game-changer; A night to celebrate selfless service in Du Quoin

It all began in 1962, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver saw how unjustly and unfairly people with intellectual disabilities were treated.

Her goal was to dwell on what young athletes COULD do instead of what they could not do. Her backyard games for a handful of challenged children called "Camp Shriver" by 1968 had become the Special Olympics.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver died in August 2009, but she would have been proud to shake the hands of Bill Asbury and members of his family for changing the face of how we fund Special Olympics in Southern Illinois.

In five years, his winter indoor softball tournament held every January at the Southern Illinois Center has raised a quarter of a million dollars for Area 15. Wednesday night, Asbury was honored as the 2013 Du Quoin Outstanding Citizen of the Year during the annual chamber banquet at the Elks Lodge.

He was introduced by daughter Caitlin Asbury, Area 15 Special Olympics Director Paul Melzer and Mayor Rex Duncan, who gave Du Quoin a place in history by being the only city in Illinois to pledge by proclamation to "Spread the Word to End the Word."

She stood alongside sisters Lindsay, Emily and Brenna and said, "Seriously, we have the best dad ever."

The Asburys are a game changer and slowly--but surely--the word "retardation" is disappearing from our vocabulary.

The entire night was not about being knocked down, but about getting up.

An emotional Paul Melzer read a letter from a coach who came to Du Quoin for the tournament (375 teams have tried to get in). The coach said simply, "Wow, I was not prepared for this. I was not prepared for the impact it had on my daughter." Melzer said, "I cannot think of anyone in my life who has done more for me than Bill Asbury. He is nothing short of extraordinary. He transforms the lives of everyone he meets."

In accepting the award, Asbury thanked wife Jill and his daughters. He said, "My heart pumps for the Special Olympics." Instead of talking about his life, he talked about the committee members who made it all possible.

It began with a 6 p.m. social hour, followed by a delicious 7 p.m. piping hot grilled chicken and dressing dinner prepared by caterer Cathy Chaney.

Members of the Future Business Leaders of America from the Du Quoin High School worked as servers. That organization is sponsored by Mrs. Denise Woodside.

The chamber extended its appreciation to the Elks for hosting the banquet.

Asbury extended his deep appreciation to the chamber and commented:

The story of how this extraordinary girls' softball tournament was created appeared in last Friday's edition of the Du Quoin Evening Call.

The evening included the presentation of several new and special awards including the past president's award which was presented to Sheila Haggard, new Business of the Year and Emerging Business of the Year Awards presented by chamber First Vice-President Robyn Laur Russell, whose work at the Small Business Development Center at SIU champions small business; and the chamber President's Award for outstanding service to the chamber.

The Business of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Richard Zimmerman of Zimmerman Chiropractic, Doc Z's Fitness and Doc Z's Sports Academy in downtown Du Quoin.

The Emerging Business of the Year Award was presented to Dane Mason of Creative Scapes. Not only has Mason developed a very high quality landscaping business in Du Quoin, but his work in creating the summer concert series and work on the tourism board have been valuable contributions to the city.

The President's Award for outstanding service to the chamber was presented to Harold Emling and Don Hoffman of the accounting firm of Emling & Hoffman for their ongoing accounting and business assistance to the chamber.

The evening included recognition of the past recipients of the "Outstanding Citizen of the Year" Award.

They include:

1970 Joe Weber,1971 Anton Berg, 1972 Lucius S. Smith, 1973 Isador Friedman, 1974 R. Paul Hibbs, 1975 Ewald Pyle, 1976 Walter Naumer, Sr., 1977 Walter A. Walker, 1978 Kenneth E. Cook, 1979 James R. Swallows, 1980 Ralph Dunn, 1981 Leah Hayes- Wm. W. Hayes, 1983 R. W. Haines, 1984 Robert E. Fiegenbaum , 1985 Wm. M. Thornburg, M.D. , 1986 Ben A. Kinsman, M.D., 1987 Virgie Leach, 1988 Dr. Freddie A. Banks Jr., 1989 Rev. Fred E. Fieker, 1990 Bob Karnes, 1991 Joe Morris, 1992 Dr. Jack Struck, 1993 Harold Emling, 1994 Gene Showalter, 1995 Jesse (Herron) Geiger, 1996 Jerry Smith, 1997 Dixie Travelstead, 1999 Gary McClure, 2000 John Rednour, 2001 Gov. George Ryan 2003 Fred Huff & John Croessman, 2004 Richard "Doc" Holladay, 2005 Frank Maxton, 2006 Bob Heape, 2007 Judy Smid, 2008 Allen Martin, 2009 No Recipient, 2010 Jim Dimitroff, 2011 Doris Rottschalk & Sam Macaluso, 2012 Jess Coffel & Bill Hamburger and 2013 Bill Asbury.

Past recipients of the chamber President's Award or service include: 1995 Richard "Doc" Holladay, 1996 W. C. Pfeiffer, 1997 Steve Fisher,1998 Bob Dyel, 1999 Angie Roach, 2000 Joe Davis, 2001 Cathy Chaney, 2002 Denny Elledge, 2003 L.T. Hill, 2004 Conrad Roach, 2005 Joyce Deaton, 2006 Sheila Haggard, 2007 Du Quoin Garden Club, 2008 Don Barrett, 2009 Frank Deaton, 2010 Sheila Haggard, 2011 Stacy Hirsch, 2012 Dr. Charles Novak & Richard "Doc" Holladay and 2013 Harold Emling & Don Hoffman of Emling & Hoffman, certified public accountants.

The Du Quoin Chamber of Commerce is having an outstanding year under the presidency of Dr. Gary Kelly. He works alongside officers Robyn Russell, first vice-president; Chip Banks, second vice-president; Richard "Doc" Holladay, secretary/treasurer and Stacy Hirsch, executive director.

The chamber's Board of Directors includes: Don Barrett, Zebada Bell, Joe Davis, Frank Deaton, Tracy Fenton, Dan Fulk, Edwin Gast, Fred Huff, Chuck Novak, Angie Roach, Greg Showalter, Jerry Smith, Dr. Jack Struck and Norm and Janice Tilley.

Past Du Quoin Business Association and chamber presidents include: Ralph Dunn, Joe Morris, James Swallows, Gene Morris, Robert Forbes, Harry Abel, R.T. Matlavish, John Alongi, Walter Naumer, Jerry Smith, Gene Ator, Adolph Tecklenburg, Jack Struck, Gene Showalter, Duane Olson, Bill Jasecko, Robert "Bud" Shook, Harold Emling, Susan Heuman, Mike Travelstead, Gary McClure, Bob Dyel, Dan Fulk, Angie Roach, Joe Davis, Frank Deaton, Chuck Novak, Fred Huff, Sheila Haggard and currently Dr. Gary Kelly.