By Nick Badillo, TCS Athletics Director
Celebrating 45 years of athletics with two amazing people! Bill & Karen Bills are retiring after 45 and 44 years of serving the Lord at TCS. Bill and Karen define the character and class that we use as a motto in our athletic department. William Bills was hired in 1975 and Karen Bills was hired as a coach in 1976 and a full-time teacher in 1977. Bill and Karen started their careers at Timothy Christian and have impacted generations of families. The TCS Athletic Department was developed, led and coached by Bill and Karen for many years. Bill served as Athletic Director for 30 years in total. Specifically, in the 70’s and 80’s, Karen was the coach for all female sports TCS offered. As leaders of the athletic department, Bill and Karen paved the way for our athletes to compete in athletics while honoring the Lord. Through the years more and more talented athletes came to TCS. As a result, Bill and Karen did everything they could to make sure that these athletes had an opportunity to compete for championships while also being discipled for Christ.
Here is a glimpse of their overall athletic resume throughout the years.
Bill
- Hired at TCS by Mr. Gottshall in 1975
- Worked at TCS for 45 years
- Served 30 years as AD
- Coached: Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, and Softball
- Overall Record:1,094 wins – 572 losses and 22 ties
- Soccer 480 -196-22
- Basketball 352-186
- Baseball 246-167
- Softball 16-23
Karen
- Hired by Mr. Gottshall to coach at TCS in 1976
- 1977 began full time teaching
- Worked at TCS for 44 years
- Coached: Soccer, Basketball, Cheerleading, and Softball
- 638 wins – 209 losses – 7 ties
- Soccer wins: 152
- Basketball wins: 268
- Softball wins: 218
Bill & Karen have set the example for Athletic Directors like me to challenge our athletes to greatness on and off the field. What I learned most from these two amazing God fearing teachers/coaches, is that winning and losing will happen on the field, but winning people to Christ is the most important mission we are on. 2 Corinthians 4:7 explains the character and true desire of Bill & Karen. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.”
They never wanted things to be about them. At each and every moment, whether it was winning a championship or losing a big game they always pointed the athletes back to God. Bill & Karen have impacted my life greatly and I am proud to know that we as school will continue to lead our athletes with the fear of the Lord in this next season! Thank you, Bill & Karen, for all you have done! In the words of scripture, “Well done good and faithful servants!”
Please mark your calendar to celebrate Bill and Karen at this year’s Homecoming on Saturday, September 26. Please click here to view the invitation and register to come!