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

We are only two months into this journey as I write this. 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. We have completed two rounds of Chemo. Last Tuesday, Bill was unable to receive chemo due to stress on his liver. We are hopeful that this upcoming Tuesday chemo can resume.

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, 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. Alex arrives from Denmark, via the World Swimming championships in Singapore, on September 29th, 2025. We are grateful he can make the journey!

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 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.

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