Bill Fay
Profile of a VIP President
by Joyce Tepley
August 2005
The atmosphere in the room was tense. We were facing the possibility of disbanding the Volunteers in Patrol or somehow carrying on without a president. In the last ten years, just about everyone had had their turn at being an officer and no one wanted the job again. Since patrolling was more important than meeting, we were discussing the possibility of having our able scheduling chairperson, Chuck Pomatto, continue as our main contact when Bill Fay, who was running a little late, walked into the room.
“Hi, Bill,” several people chimed. The tension was immediately broken as he sat down on the hard plastic chair, smiled and leaned forward, chin on his cupped hands.
“Hi, sorry I’m late. What did I miss?”
“We were discussing the possibility of operating without officers and just have Chuck be the main person we contact for patrolling,” explained Paul Figel, our concerned president. “No one wants to be president,” he continued with frustration in his voice.
Bill, being one of the newest members, was still catching up on how the organization was run and who did what. Then, Bill Marx, who recruited Bill, turned to him and said, jokingly, “You wouldn’t want to be president, would you?”
All eyes turned to Bill expecting him to laugh and say no, but without hesitation, he smiled and said, “Okay.” That’s the kind of man he is.
Everyone cheered and clapped. We were relieved and happy. He was elected by acclamation and promised all the help he needed. Now we could more easily continue our plans of creating a neighborhood website, expanding our patrolling with more new members, and bringing a fresh life to a maturing organization.
Quickly rising to a position of leadership was not new to Bill. He was class president at J. J. Pearce High School and president of the Student Foundation at SMU. He fell in love with the law after interning as a high school student at the Dallas Court House and watching the prosecution process. After he graduated from SMU law school, he worked in a private law office for a short time, and then was able to obtain a position in the District Attorney’s office. In seven years he was raised to Felony Chief, about as far as he could advance, so decided to go back to private practice as a criminal defense attorney.
It is difficult to reconcile the calm, kind-natured man with the image of a prosecuting attorney dealing with hardened criminals. But it is not the “hard-nosed put all the punks in jail” attitude that makes Bill love his work. That’s for the movies. It’s the negotiating he can do to help someone who’s gotten into trouble make a better life for him or herself. Being able to connect a drug addict to a good treatment program, or find the right resources to steer a kid who is on the brink away from a life of crime, is what makes his chosen career worthwhile.
Bill met his lovely wife, Rachida, at a party of mutual friends. Born in France, she comes from a family of eleven children, now scattered over several countries in Europe. Her career is in the banking industry, working for Archon.
So why did they move to our neighborhood when they could live anywhere they chose? The answer is simple. When they got married four years ago they looked at about two hundred houses around the East Dallas and Lakewood areas. They weren’t in any hurry, being newlyweds and both concentrating on their careers.
One day a friend from this neighborhood suggested they might look here. The first house they looked at on South Better was the one they knew was right for them. It was convenient to their work, the lot size and house for the money, was so much nicer than the properties they had been looking at, and Bill already knew how friendly the neighbors were, having known Joe Padian on Fieldfare Court since high school.
Coming from a large family of five children himself, Bill understands and appreciates the importance of relationships – taking responsibility and sharing the load. His parents are active in their neighborhood crime watch and are strong roll models for civic duty. Besides following his parents example of being involved in the neighborhood, Bill created, with his friend Mark Leach, a foundation called Heart of Gold. Its purpose is to give children who have serious heart problems the opportunity to go to camp where they can enjoy themselves like any other kid.
Listening to Bill describe the thrill it gives him to have raised enough money in the last four years to send ninety children to Camp John Mark would make everyone want to open their purses or volunteer their time to this worthy cause. These children would otherwise not be able to leave their houses, let alone have a fun-filled camp experience.
Our Volunteers in Patrol program is most fortunate in having a new leader with a genuine heart of gold who believes that there is “no better way to deter crime than to get to know your neighbors.” In an age of demanding schedules, and people trying to sell you something or manipulate you, it is refreshing to be with a man who has a selfless attitude. Bill takes his time to listen, focusing his soft hazel eyes to fully attend to everyone he makes contact with. Being on the receiving end of that rare gift makes you want to follow his lead.
