Bill Goodsmith

Group Leader, Girls' Boating Counselor, Ancient Mariner



Bill was part of Bill and Joe's original staff at Tyler Hill Camp in 1956, working as a Group Leader on the Boys' side. At that time, his wife, Lillian, was the Head Nurse at the Infirmary. But Bill Goodsmith is best remembered as the thin little man standing on the shore of Silver Lake, instructing the girls how to use the rowboats, how to set sail with those little Sunfish, or explaining the maritime laws of the lake. Unfortunately, Bill's lengthy instructions at the lakeside cut into the time that the girls could actually spend on the water, which drove them crazy. But by the summer's end, those who paid attention, knew how to safely navigate the stormy waves of Silver Lake.

Bill also enjoyed spending many hours a day restoring and painting his precious canoe. That old relic, which was beautifully adorned with Native American designs, all hand-painted by Bill, now rests under the Dining Room. This is somewhat ironic, as Bill was known as a legendary eater. Were it not for the 35 years of eyewitnesses who saw how much food he could put away, no one would have believed it. Bill loved being at camp and some people thought that he didn't even draw a salary. If that were true, he surely made up for it at the dinner table.

But on a more serious note, Bill was one of the few members of Tyler Hill Camp who worked every summer from 1956 to 1991. He was very loyal to the Heft family and his service was greatly appreciated by them.