Bill Staples began his Community Action career in 1970 serving as Chairman of the Board of the H-U-W Development Council, which served Henderson, Union and Webster Counties. He continued in this capacity until March 1972 at which time he was named Executive Director of H-U-W, and served until March 1975 when a merger of H-U-W and the Owensboro Area Economic Opportunity Council was completed. With the merger of the Henderson- and Owensboro-based Community Action Agencies, Bill became the Associate Director of Audubon Area Community Services, Inc. He continued in that capacity — as well as serving as Coordinator of the CSBG Program.
Bill graduated from Hebbardsville High School in Henderson County. His education continued at Western Kentucky University where he graduated in 1956 with a degree in Agriculture.
While attending Western, he was enrolled in Air Force ROTC. Upon graduation from Western he was awarded a commission as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He attained the rank of First Lieutenant prior to his honorable discharge.
Following his discharge he pursued "private enterprise" prior to joining Community Action. Upon returning to civilian life, Bill became a grain buyer for Farmer's Elevator in Owensboro. Bill left Farmer's Elevator to accept a position with the Henderson and Webster County Health Departments, where he remained until joining the "community action family" in 1972.
Bill is a past member of the Henderson County Lions Club and the Henderson County Sportsmans Club, where he served as Treasurer for four years.
Bill and his wife, the former Charlene Walker, who is a retired school Principal in the Henderson County School System, reside in Henderson. The Staples have two daughters, Kimberly Marshall and Karen Brunner, both being graduates of the University of Kentucky and teachers in the Henderson County School System, and one son, Mike, who attended the University of Kentucky and is self-employed operating Staples Lawn Mowing Sales and Service and Staples Lawn Care. Bill's children have made sure that he has no spare time as they have provided him with seven grandchildren--and there are two more on their way. Bill states he gained a desire to assist the less fortunate while serving in the United States Air Force. Bill was a volunteer in the Air Force Aide Society--their mission, similar to the AACS, being to serve the needy who were in the Air Force.
Everyone who knew Bill Staples knew he has one of the most deeply and genuinely caring spirits anyone can possess. AACS Executive Director Ron Logsdon was often heard to say, "Bill Staples has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever known. Bill brings the caring concern and adds the human touch to everything we do. He adds warmth and humanity to professionalism and productivity. We are richer, deeper, and better because of his influence."
We wish Bill all the best in his retirement!
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