NeveHarms Bill Suits has had a strong desire for many years to be of service to other people. For the past five years he has been the official umpire for the Mentally Handicapped Adult Softball League sponsored by the Easter Seal Center and Peoria Park District. This commitment entails several assignments a week. In addition, he contributes to the formation of the special rules which govern the play of these softball games. He applies these rules as well as the control of the games with the greatest interest and concern for the players.
He is on the local board of the Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center and also serves on the State Board of Easter Seal, as well as on the Mayor's Board for Architectural Barriers to Assist the Handicapped.
After his accident in 1964, he worked for his General Education Diploma and thereafter earned an Associate Degree from Illinois Central College in Medical Records.
Bill takes care of his three acres, has a large garden and prepares meals. He enjoys the opportunity to watch over his grandchildren. He and his wife Shirley have three children and four grandchildren.
Jim Thome A two-sport star (baseball and basketball) at both Limestone High School and Illinois Central College, Thome went on to a legendary baseball career as one of the top sluggers in Major League Baseball history. A 13th-round selection by the Cleveland Indians in 1989, Thome made his MLB debut in 1991. After a 22-year career with Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles, Thome ranks seventh in Major League history with 612 home runs and 24th with 1,699 runs batted in, while boasting a .276 career batting average. He was a five-time All-Star and received Most Valuable Player votes in nine different seasons. Thome helped Cleveland to World Series appearances in both 1995 and 1997 and he hit 17 career postseason home runs. Thome led the American League in slugging in 2002 (.677) and the National League with 47 home runs in 2003 and he received a 1996 Silver Slugger Award. Thome also was the 2006 Americal League Comeback Player of the Year. Recognized for his integrity, sportsmanship and community involvement, Thome received the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award in 2001 and 2004, as well as the 2002 Roberto Clemente Award and the 2004 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. The Cleveland organization dedicated a statue of Thome outside Progressive Field following his official retirement in 2014. |