Working His Fingers to the Bone
There are few men brave enough to admit that they enjoy doing needlework, but Billy Lanier is more than happy to stake that claim. For nearly 50 years Billy has been crocheting scarves, blankets, hats and a number of other items to give as gifts to family, friends and more importantly to non-profit organizations scattered around Paducah.
It started at the age of 19, after Billy survived an automobile accident that left his thumbs weak. His grandmother hoped that teaching Billy how to crochet would be good physical therapy to help him regain full use of his hands again. So Billy’s grandfather carved a crochet needle that his grandson could use to help his grandmother hook rag rugs. It wasn’t long before Billy was back to good health and experimenting with all sorts of needlework projects.
“(Crocheting) started out as a hobby,” Billy says. “I was a competitive bowler for many years, but other than that I was not a very active person. This was just something to keep me busy.”
In 2002, Billy was diagnosed with COPD and was no longer able to work. In fact, his health was so poor that he was confined to a recliner with very little to occupy his time for two years. House-bound and always on the lookout for new ways to give something back to the community, Billy spent much of his time crocheting hats, scarves and blankets for various organizations.
Erin Gottman, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at the office of Dr. Pamela Hodges sees the positive impact of Billy’s work every day.
“Thanks to Billy, we are able to share hand-crafted blankets and hats with our new moms for their babies Erin says. “Some of those moms are underprivileged and don’t have much. They are thrilled to have new items to use to care for their babies. Billy has been very generous to share his talent with our practice.”
When Billy’s mother passed away in 2003 he inherited 10 garbage bags filled with yarn.
As more people discovered that Billy loved to crochet, they began to bring him bags of yarn to support his cause.
“Family and friends will find yarn at yard sales, or they don’t end up using all of their yarn for a project they have completed, so they bring me their remnants,” Billy says.
All of the donations are put to good use. When Billy runs low on supplies he sells a few items at a homemakers’ group and uses the proceeds to buy more yarn to continue his work. Everything he earns in those sales goes back into his charitable work.
Billy’s biggest cheerleader is his partner of 15 years, Larry Furmann. The two men have been together for 15 years and Larry never ceases to be amazed at Billy’s generosity and commitment to helping others.
“Billy sees what people need and figures out a way to do something about it,” Larry says. “He seldom talks about these activities but I feel he is deserving of the recognition.”
Larry nominated Billy to be one of VUE Magazine’s Difference Makers. The award is sponsored by VUE’s affiliates, West Kentucky Garage Builders and Socially Present. The selection committee for the monthly award was so inspired by the time and effort that Billy invests in the community that they named him the July recipient of the award.
“It’s not everyday that you see people investing their retirement years in doing such generous things for people who need those services most,” Carolyn Raney, co-owner of VUE says. “One of the things I love most about my job at VUE Magazine is getting the opportunity to honor such sweet, wonderful people who do such good things in their communities.”
Billy says that the money he receives from the award will all go back into his volunteer fund. Some of those who have benefitted from Billy’s handiwork over the years include clients at Paducah Cooperative Ministries, newborn patients at Dr. Pamela Hodges’ office, Heartland Cares, Hearts 4 Babies and Micah Mission Center in Hopkinsville, KY.
If you know someone who is doing kind things for others in their community, nominate them for a VUE Difference Maker Award. You can submit nominations through the magazine and online at inthevue.com.
