In 1986 the Kiwanis club of Berea experienced first hand Bill's leadership qualities. After holding the position of Secretary for five years he moved up to Vice President and subsequently President. Known as the "Great Pancake Turner" you could always see Bill flipping pancakes with ease and skill at their Annual December Pancake Breakfast. During the year 2000-2001 Kiwanis International awarded him the "Distinguished Club Presidents Award." As a Kiwanian he chaired the successful "World's Greatest Garage Sale" and the "Boys and Girls Committee" and is currently serving as treasurer of the Berea Kiwanis Charitable fund-Foundation.

When the Berea City Club was formed Bill was one of the founding Members and served as Treasurer. The Rib Burn-off, Coe Lake Christmas Tree Sales, and their annual Clam Bake are some of the projects he has helped organize.

Working as a volunteer and later a trustee of the Board of Directors for the Berea Arts Fest the past 16 years has helped make this one of Berea's most successful events. As Logistics Coordinator on the Planning Team, Bill works with the city administration and volunteers to plan the physical layout of the festival site, traffic patterns in and around the site, setting up large tents and tables, arranging for garbage pickup, designing the stage area, transporting supplies to and from storage, then "breaking down" the entire festival and returning the area to its original state. The members of the Arts Fest committee agree that, "you can always count on him to do what he says he's going to do."

Bill, his wife, Nancy, and their four children Tim, Terry, Tom and Tracy and 12 grandchildren have a closeness and respect for each other that most can only dream about. We are honored to have Bill "Can't Say No" Tibbits as the 2006 Outstanding Berea Citizen.