For 73 years, the Lions Club Carnival has been a midsummer institution in Rolla, and one person who has been a part of many of those years is Bill Peeler.

Peeler, 57, is what Lions Club President Ted Haas calls an integral part of the success of the annual fundraiser.

“Bill’s been with us 30-plus years,” Haas said. “It’s because of people like Bill that the Lions Club Carnival has been such a success.

Recalling the years, Peeler said he’s been volunteering at the Carnival for 31 years.
“Former Lion President Jack Bucky asked me to help years ago, and I told him I would. I’ve just been coming back every year,” Peeler said.

It’s that kind of commitment from the community, Haas said, that makes the Carnival a success.

“We’ve got 140 Lions Club members, but we’ve got 300-plus other people like Bill who give of themselves each year — volunteer — to make this a huge success,” Haas said.
To hear Peeler tell it, he gets as much out of volunteering as he gives to the four-day event.

“I enjoy it. I like seeing the people every night,” said Peeler who works nightly at the Color Wheel booth.

“I like seeing the kids, helping them play,” Peeler said. “Sure, this is a fundraiser, but it’s important that the children have fun, too. I see a lot of the same people every night, and some I see every year. Many I don’t see throughout the year, but they come back for the Carnival,” said Peeler who works as a baker for Chartwell Services at the Missouri University of Science & Technology.

Before he acquired job seniority, Peeler said he used to have to take vacation from work the week of the Carnival so he could volunteer.

“It’s been a few years, but everyone at work knew I was going to take off the week of the Carnival so I could volunteer,” said Peeler, a bachelor. “Now, I’ve got most of the summer off, so I don’t have to ask off anymore.”

Peeler said he is thankful of the Lions for giving him the opportunity to serve.
“We’ve got a wonderful park here, and I come out here and walk. It’s a way that I can say thanks for the park,” said Peeler, a lifetime Rolla resident.

“I’ve been doing this for 31 years, and I guess I’m going to keep volunteering as long as I can, as long as they, the Lions, want me,” Peeler said.