Help Bill Hillhouse Through His Cancer Battle

Help Support Bill Hillhouse: A Beloved Coach, Dad, and Cat Toy Extraordinaire

Hi everyone,

My name is Sharon Shore, and I have had the honor of loving Bill Hillhouse since 2020. We share a life together in Bellevue, Nebraska, alongside our three very opinionated Maine Coons — who will tell you that Bill is, hands down, the best cat toy I’ve ever brought home.

On Monday, July 14th, our lives changed forever.

What started as a trip to the ER for what we thought was a simple case of constipation turned into a nightmare: Bill was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. The cancer has already metastasized to other organs. There is no cure. Even with chemo and radiation, we are realistically looking at months.

Our focus now is on pain management, comfort, and surrounding Bill with love, laughter, and care.

As I write this, we are only a few days into this journey. Bill is back home, and we are now working closely with both an Oncology team and a Palliative Care team to make sure his days are as peaceful and pain-free as possible.

Let me tell you about Bill Hillhouse.

He is a Son, Brother, Uncle, Boyfriend, Nephew, Cat Daddy (he's going to roll his eyes when he reads that one!), and to many of you, a friend, a softball legend, and a beloved coach. He's someone whose laugh fills a room, whose stories never end on time, and who’s helped more people than he’ll ever take credit for.

But Bill’s most cherished role? That would be Dad.

His son Alex is the pride of his life. A kind, dedicated young man, and a gold medalist on the Danish Paralympic swimming team. Bill’s face lights up whenever he talks about Alex — especially when recounting the moment Alex took home gold in Paris last summer. That love is deep, unwavering, and incredibly beautiful.

Now, we need your help.

Bill has been self-employed for years and, like many in that situation, hasn’t had health insurance in quite some time. As of July 14th, he is also officially “between jobs,” having just let go of his only employee — himself.

We’re staring down an overwhelming mountain of medical bills, home care costs, treatment expenses, and end-of-life support. Last night we stopped by our pharmacy on our way home and the total was staggering. We were blessed by a friend and able to cover it. We’re applying for Medicaid and financial aid, but these things take time — time we don’t have in abundance.

There’s no sugar coating this. We have an immediate need for financial help. We’re asking — humbly and honestly — for your donations, your prayers, and your good energy.

Bill would like to be able to take Alex back to Erie, and see his family. I'm encouraging Bill to think about "Bucket List" goals as well.

We’re also asking for your stories. We want this space to be filled with the memories, laughs, softball tales, bad jokes, and Bud Light toasts and roasts that make Bill who he is. Share what he’s meant to you, how you met, how he made you laugh or made you better.

If you know Bill, you know humor is the fuel we run on around here. That’s how we’re getting through this. So crack a joke, raise a Dr. Pepper, and let’s walk this road with a little light and laughter — the way Bill would want it.

I made one promise to Bill and his family, and I make it to all of you now:

I will love him through every minute of this journey.

I didn’t expect to be a full-time caregiver — but I wouldn’t be anywhere else. We’re in this together, and we’re trusting in love, faith, and your kindness to help us through.

With deep love,

Sharon