My name is Bill. I was born in San Diego, California in 1942. My father was in sales and we moved a lot. I missed my dad; most often I went days without seeing him and it seemed my mother was unhappy with his being "on the road" too much. When I was 5 I remember going to three different schools in one year. I seemed to be a wanderer and always the new kid in town. I felt alone & the incessant nagging I would receive from my less than content mother who seemed to project negatives on me hourly. Often she saved up and unloaded with brooms, chairs and isolation in the closet.

I found as I was entering those teen years, a way to feel better about myself was to excel in sports activities. Thus the allure of sport became a bridge to a newfound way of feeling good about myself. The older athletes in High School soon introduced me to alcohol. There were Championships and awards; Most valuable; Most Improved. There were defeats and injuries. There was rehab. There was All American and Professional Football and contracts and acclaim. There were women. There was booze and later drugs and infidelity. There was pain and disappointment. There was divorce and betrayal and shame. There was oblivion and somewhere there was God.

I am currently doing a 13-year sentence at 85% for a felony DUI. I have never been in prison in my life so at age 57 to receive a sentence, which represented more than half, my life expectancy was a shock. I was broken. Life had ceased. I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ every day that no one died.

I got "clean and sober" September 18, 1999. I have remained sober and by the grace of God have been "Born Again". God is restoring me daily. My life had lost any purpose as I "medicated" with alcohol, cannabis and nicotine. I was dead to Christ. AA was a gateway to Jesus. I was baptized October 7, 2000 in the Church on the Rock, Donovan State Prison.

I have a master's degree in Education with a Pupil Personnel Services Certification in School Counseling. I had been a High School Football Coach and Wrestling Coach before going into the Life Insurance Industry. I have the desire to bring Christ centered counseling to those in trouble with drugs and alcohol.

I am currently pursuing a course of study through Southwest College of Biblical Studies. This 34-unit program is designed to develop Bible study skills, leadership and character development with the ultimate goal being to bring God's word to those in darkness. I live one day at a time knowing that God will guide me through the day. He blesses me in so many ways.

I have three adult children, three grandchildren, two ex-wives and I must say, many good friends, but the greatest joy in my life was the day God snatched me from the "adversary" and delivered me into the arms of Jesus. He has given me new life. I praise Him all the day long. There is also time to pray for our precious brother Mel....