Our people: Voice of the Cats

Clovis resident Bill Gaedke has been called the voice of Clovis High School Wildcat sports. He earned the name by announcing for every home game of nearly every sport at the high school. Gaedke said he couldn’t pick a favorite sport. He doesn’t like them all — he loves them all.

“I like that I am involved with some of the brightest, most gracious boys and girls who I like to think see their athletic competition as fun — most of all — and a path to a future healthy lifestyle,” he said.

Gaedke was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base 28 years ago and retired in 1979. He taught at Clovis High School, Clovis Community College and Eastern New Mexico University for a total of 32 years.

If I had an open plane ticket to anywhere, I would go to...Perth, Australia and take the train across the outback. (G’day, Billy!)

What is your greatest hope? That Phyllis retains the strength to be with us for a long time. She is ill.

Who’s invited to your fantasy dinner party? Frank Sinatra, I’ve liked his singing since the mid 1940s. Theodore Roosevelt, he has infinite wisdom and is an adventurer. Douglas MacArthur, a war hero. George S. Patton, a war hero. Ronald Reagan, a past president. And Johnny Carson for comic relief.

What do you like about Clovis? It’s a very friendly community, progressing and just enough off the mainstream to be very uncomplicated.

When you were a kid, what did you think you'd be doing as an adult? As a kid, I wanted to be a radio announcer like the announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team, Mickey Heath.

After a long, hard day, I love to... jog.

Tell us how you met your spouse. I met Phyllis when a buddy of mine and I were cruising Lincoln, Neb. one Saturday afternoon in December 1954, looking for girls. My buddy saw twins walking out of a grocery store and said “I know them, let’s see if they need a ride.” We drove them to their apartment where their roommate, Phyllis, was in the kitchen, hair in curlers, ironing.

When I get in my car, the first thing I listen to is... the garage door going up.

Tell us about a time you were afraid. I was afraid when, as an initiation for being a Milwaukee Journal paperboy at the age of 13, I was put in a box in the small building where we rolled and bagged our papers. Being buried alive is a frequent thought since then, and I don’t watch scenes in the movies or on TV that feature being buried alive.

What's your favorite part about your job? I have loved every moment of every job I have ever had.

What is your most prized possession? As far as possessions are concerned, I would rank the gold Waltham pocketwatch the Maryland Casualty Company awarded my grandfather in 1917, as one of the most prized possessions I have.

What is your favorite smell? Fresh bread.

My friends and family call me... Bill or Chief; my family calls me frequently.

If you won a $1 million dollar lottery, what would you do first? First, I would set up trusts for the kids.

My favorite bad-for-me food is... Dove dark chocolate squares.

What would you like printed on your gravestone? Chief.

In an alternative life, I would have been a... Radio announcer.

One of my favorite childhood toys was... A set of Lincoln Logs.

Tell us about your greatest individual accomplishment. My greatest individual accomplishment was to propose to Phyllis 38 days after meeting her on Dec. 11, 1954. We got engaged on Valentine’s Day and married May 28, 1955.

The most unique place I’ve ever traveled to is... Hong Kong.

What is your theme song? “One Moment in Time.”

Who is your favorite entertainer? Johnny Carson.

Tell us about a happy time. Getting married to Phyllis!!!!!!!!!!!!

What was your most embarrassing moment? Falling off a chair at The Rock when I was announcing a volleyball match. Everything in the gym stopped.

Do you have a favorite joke? Joke was on me when, as the right guide for my basic training flight, I was short sheeted by members of the flight.

What would you be doing if you weren't doing your job? Something else.

When you were a kid, what did you think you'd be doing as an adult?