Auburn Skies

Auburn Reporter editor Mark Klaas discusses all things Auburn, including comings and goings, local issues and community efforts.

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In this weekend’s edition: Genereous man makes most of his time

November 25th, 2009 at Wed, 25th, 2009 at 3:04 pm by markklaas
Bob Williams, 65, is in a wheelchair and faces an uncertain future. Despite his diminishing health, Williams is willing to help others. He volunteered his time to help distribute meals to families at the Community Big Give.

Bob Williams, 65, is in a wheelchair and faces an uncertain future. Despite his diminishing health, Williams is willing to help others. He volunteered his time to help distribute meals to families at the Community Big Give.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, consider those who are struggling.

Reporter Robert Whale found an interesting man, Bob Williams, at the Community Big Give. Williams, a retired heavy construction worker and Vietnam era veteran,  is grateful for what he has – the car his late father passed on, a roof over his head, food, a wife, a chance to do a nice turn for his neighbors.

What Williams doesn’t have is time. Doctors say he has a year to live. The man is suffers from severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema.

Despite his condition, Williams maintains a good outlook and an open heart to help others. “I want to enjoy life more. I want to get everything I can out of life,” he said.

Whale’s story appears in Friday’s edition.

Mark Klaas, editor of the Auburn Reporter, is an award-winning journalist who has worked in the newspaper industry for more than 25 years. He previously worked as a reporter and editor in Idaho, Oregon and California before moving to the Puget Sound in 1993. He lives in King County with his wife, Sara, and children, Derek and Elizabeth.

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