Biographical Information
City of Residence: St. Petersburg
Occupation: University Professor
Spouse: Marlene Jeanne "Jeanne" Heller of Mobridge, South Dakota
Child(ren): Cynthia Ann, James Richard, Cheri Rene
Grandchild(ren): Cameron Heller, Rachel Ricker, Ella Ricker
Education: Bradley University, 1954; Southern Illinois University, B.S., 1959; Northern Illinois University, M.S., 1961; Northern Illinois University, P.M.A., 1962; University of Northern Colorado, Ed.D., 1964
Born: September 3, 1935, Scales Mound, IL
Military: U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division 1954-1956, Parachutist Badge, Expert Rifleman's Badge
Moved to Florida: 1992
Religious Affiliation: Congregational
Recreational Interest: Civil War history, cultural arts (museums, orchestra, theater), reading, sports (baseball, basketball, football, softball), travel, walking
Legislative Service
Elected to the House in 2006, reelected subsequently
Other Public Services
University of South Florida St. Petersburg, CEO and Dean/Vice Chancellor
University of North Carolina Charlotte, College of Education, Dean
Bryce Psychiatric Hospital, Superintendent
Special Education Teacher, DeKalb, IL
Affiliations
Bayfront Health System, Board of Trustees, Chair, 2003-present
Family Resources, Inc.
Great Explorations, a children's museum, Chair of Board of Directors, 2003-present
Mahaffey Theater Foundation
Pinellas Association for Retarded Children
Pinellas County Arts Council, President, 2006-present
SPCA of Tampa Bay, past President
St. Petersburg Museum of History
Highlights
Outstanding Leadership Award, Council on Exceptional Children 2006
Chancellor's Excellence in Service Award, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg 2005
Chairman's Award, Pinellas County Urban League 2004
Award for "making a difference in the lives of children," Pinellas County School System 2002
Honored by the City of St. Petersburg for a "Decade of Excellence" with August 21 being proclaimed "Bill Heller Day" by the City of St. Petersburg 2002
Romaine Mackie Leadership Award in Special Education, Pioneer Division, Council for Exceptional Children 2000
Recognized for outstanding contributions to the Betterment of the Community, St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce 1996
E. Wallace Wallin Award, this is the highest honor bestowed by the Council and is predicated on excellence in leadership, service, and accomplishments in the education of children with exceptionalities, Council for Exceptional Children 1991
Outstanding Service Award to an ROTC unit, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Department of Defense 1991
Inducted into the University of Northern Colorado's Hall of Fame as one of its top 100 graduates in the University's 100 year history 1989
Teacher Educator of the Year Award, Teacher Education Division, Council of Exceptional Children and the Merrill Publishing Company. This is the highest award given in special education for exemplary accomplishment as a teacher/educator, 1981
Outstanding Faculty Member, College of Education, University of Alabama 1979
Presidential Citation for Exemplary Performance as Vice-Chairman, White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals 1977
Commendation for Exemplary Service as Superintendent of Bryce Psychiatric Hospital, Alabama Senate Resolution #117 1976
Two Merit Awards for Exemplary Service in Government, U.S. Office of Education, Bureau of Education for the Handicapped, Washington, D.C. 1970, 1971
Recipient, P.L. 85-826 Doctoral Fellowship in Special Education 1963, 1964