Willard

Bill has been a Chicago Greeter volunteer since 2002. He is a retired thoracic surgeon and member of the faculty of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.   

What is your favorite thing about Chicago?
Its ethnic mix.

What is your favorite neighborhood and why?
I’ve lived in Winnetka on the North Shore since 1966; it’s where my wife and I raised our family.

Favorite summertime activity?
Golf

Where can you find the best view of the Chicago skyline?
Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise

What are your favorite places to show visitors?
Federal Plaza and the Marquette Building, with the Monadnock Building and Chicago Board of Trade in the distance.

Favorite pizza place?
Uno’s

Deep Dish or Thin Crust?

Thin

Favorite Chicago tradition?
Singing “Take me out to the Ball Game” during the 7th inning stretch at Cub’s game at Wrigley Field.

Favorite hidden spot?
Bond Chapel on the University of Chicago campus, where I was married.

Where do you like to go for fun?
Greek Town

Why did you become a Chicago Greeter?
They asked me to - picking me out of the Sister Cities Chicago-Paris committee.

What was your most memorable Chicago Greeter experience?
A 30s live one from Chicago with two French rugby players whom she’d befriended in France years ago… It was not high culture, and I didn’t ask many questions, as a doctor…