It's hard to run into anyone in this community who didn't know of Bill. I am not an Oven Door Runner. I'm a triathlete and I met Bill through the Y Tri in 2001. It was 6 weeks after the birth of my son and I was so far from form...... yet he was so encouraging and so enthusiastic..... he timed my start time so I could pump!!!! The Y Tri became one of my favorite races, and I went back many times. We triathlete types don't like to race in the winter...... but how could you not when Bill was the director?
I remember the first time I signed up for the Hearnish 10K. I didn't know what it meant. I think it was Rauni who smiled at me and said...... Hernish miles are not real miles...... and with that I understood. I quickly learned what a Hearnish mile was.
The hard way.
My group runs on the canal every few weeks, we begin at Schoen Place and run towards Bushnell's Basin. About halfway to the Basin we cross paths with Oven Door Lite. Along with Doug, Jim and "Guppy" the only other person I'd know was Bill. Every time we passed you guys he'd have the loudest GOOD MORNING!!!!!!! Those Sunday morning moments were things I'd look forward to. I haven't run there since. I will this week, and I hope that you are out there too.
I didn't know Bill all that well, yet wherever I'd run into him I felt as if I was his best friend. As the news of his passing spread through the community..... people whom I didn't even realize ran.... knew Bill. I'd hear..... hey you have to take Bill Hearne's spinning class..... but never come on his birthday! I remember promising him I'd make it to one of his classes. And I never did.
There are people who leave behind performances and records...... but then there is a man named Bill Hearne. Who left behind community. He touched so many people through the years, he built an incredible community. As someone who did not know him all that well..... you can feel and see the feelings of family and friendship and love that he fostered through all of you. His energy was and still remains contagious.
As I looked at the picture that was taken moments before he was called home, I thought..... wow....... what a lucky guy. I imagine he saw the most beautiful sight and felt such incredible happiness at that moment.
So thanks Bill..... I can't tell you what an honor it was to know you. You have had a magical way of making people feel incredibly special..... no matter who they are.
Mary Eggers
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