Oct 22, 20222 min read

Rotarian Bill Shillito explains how cutting-edge research will find the cure for Alzheimer's.

Bill Shillito was drafted into the US Army in 1970. After Basic and Advanced Infantry training, he attended US Army Flight Training in Texas and Alabama. Bill earned his bachelor’s degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He received a “direct commission” to First Lieutenant. From there he completed a master’s degree from Central Michigan in Personnel Management. Bill served a tour of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter aviator.

Bill was selected to teach at the United States Military Academy at West Point. In route to teaching at the Academy, Bill was selected to attend Harvard Business School’s MBA program. After two years in Boston, Bill and his family moved to West Point, where he taught Economics, Finance and Accounting to cadets for three years. Bill’s military awards include: Two Distinguished Flying Crosses, The Meritorious Achievement Award, The Army Commendation Award, The Army Achievement Medal, The National Defense Ribbon, The Vietnamese Service Medal, The Army Service Ribbon, The Overseas Service Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and numerous citations.

Bill retired from the US Army in 1992. He and his family returned home to NC. He took a position with an antenna manufacturing company. Bill served in various positions including General Manager. Bill joined with a partner in 2003 to Start-up a company offering high speed internet.

Bill is active in his community serving as District Governor for the 52 Rotary Clubs and 2,800 Rotarians in western North Carolina. Bill his wife Diane and his two sons are Paul Harris Fellows, Bill and Diane are TRF Benefactors.

Bill has served as the Executive Director of the Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust (CART Fund) from 2009 to 2022. The CART Fund has raised over $11,000,000 since inception and has funded over 60 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Grants.

Alzheimer’s/Dementia Rotary Action Group took form in 2014. The CART Fund was an original founder. Bill was instrumental in assisting A/DRAG to become recognized by Rotary International. Bill has served as Secretary and Newsletter Editor before he was elected Chairman in 2019.