Personalities: Bill

For the past few weeks, I've been working in North Adams on an art project. A major reason behind this project is simply because I'd love to get to know people in our neighboring town of abandoned mills and beautiful steeples. Through the process, I've met some of the most interesting, kindest people. One of them is Bill Ross, the owner of Hickory Bill's BBQ, next to Gideon on Holden St.. Bill spent his life as a social worker till he moved to North Adams and dedicates his time on his second passion, authentic Southern BBQ. Everyday, he dresses in his white Hickory Bill t-shirt, red apron and a cowboy hat. His kitchen is his world. He spends hours in the restaurant seasoning meat, grilling chicken... and making delicious chocolate covered kiwis that he grows in his backyard to give out to his loyal costumers. He talks about how he is getting old and tired, and all he wants to do is to close the shop and cuddle with his wife at home. He says, "I love writing. I love writing cursive. I love writing to my wife when there is no one at the shop. I just sit here and write. And she will write me back another week." Oh how he smiles at the thought. He talks about opening an internet shop selling his marinara... he talks about how he loves meeting young people.
Take an afternoon and visit Bill, tell him that you are a friend of mine, hear his story, tell him a few of your own and he will take you in as a proud cowboy would with a order of chicken sandwich.