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In 1977 at the age of 12, Bill caught a trophy six-pound
largemouth bass. When he discovered that it was going to
cost $3.00 per linear inch to have the trophy fish mounted,
he decided to learn the art of taxidermy himself. Like many
other taxidermists, he sent for the mail order course from
Northwestern School of Taxidermy. Within just a short time,
Bill realized that taxidermy was the ultimate way to express
both his artistic ability and love for wildlife.
At the age of 15, he went to work for Jim Pope, an accomplished
fish and mammal taxidermist in his hometown of Haines City,
FL. After four years of knowledgeable training with Jim,
Bill started his own taxidermy business in Winter Haven,
Florida. Along with his full-service retail business, Bill
also provided a wholesale taxidermy service to several other
taxidermists in Polk County, FL., and became well known
for his unique ability in fleshing and mounting Wild Boar.
At the age of 23, a major change took place in Bill's life
as he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. With
the same passion that he'd found in taxidermy, Bill also
discovered a love for studying and teaching God's Word-the
Bible. Transitioning in taxidermy from full-time to part-time,
Bill returned to college to earn Associate's, Bachelor's,
and Master's degrees in Tennessee and Michigan Universities.
During the course of his studies Bill provided wholesale
taxidermy service for over a dozen taxidermy studios throughout
Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Michigan. This
vast experience with so many different taxidermists gave
Bill a wealth of knowledge in both the art and business
of taxidermy.
Upon graduation from Seminary in 1997, Bill served as an
associate and senior pastor in Orlando, FL for seven years
and was formally ordained in August of 2001. In August of
2004, Bill started a not-for-profit ministry resource company
called Spirit and Truth, Inc. as a means to develop Bible
Study and Christian Counseling resources for churches and
individuals. This move also provided Bill the opportunity
to return to serving sportsmen and women through the art
of taxidermy. Bill currently attends and serves at River Run Christian Church in Chuluota, Florida.
Back to Life Taxidermy is a full service taxidermy studio
located in Oviedo, Florida (East Orlando).
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