Bill Barry

Bill Barry graduated from Taylorville High School in 1973. While recognized as an All Mid-State Conference Quarterback in 1972 and the Team MVP on the Tornadoes’ Basketball Team in 1973, Barry is being inducted into the Taylorville High School Sports Hall of Fame tonight as a Friend of Sports.    Following graduation from Taylorville High School, Barry enrolled at the University of Illinois where he graduated with Highest Honors as he received a Bachelor’s of Science in accounting. He was awarded the Bronze Tablet for graduating in the top three percent of his class. He joined the real estate firm of Draper and Kramer in 1989 and now serves as Senior Vice President, and currently heads their Commercial Mortgage Group. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the March of Dimes in Chicago. One of Barry’s major interests is serving as Chairman of the Annual Chicago Comcast Sportsnet Awards Diner that honors the best professional athletes in Chicago. Through his leadership and effort, he has helped the benefit dinner reach a 29 year total of over 8 million dollars for the March of Dimes.

But even though Bill Barry is actively involved in Chicago, he has not forgotten Taylorville nor his High School. In recent years, he has been a major contributor to the Taylorville High School Sports Boosters, especially through his personal support of the Tornado Open Golf Outing. His philanthropy has assisted not only high school sports, but other community programs including the Christian County YMCA. Through his continued active involvement, his leadership and by setting an example, Bill Barry has truly met the standard for becoming a Hall of Fame Friend of Sports.

It my privilege to introduce a true friend of Taylorville and Taylorville High School athletics, Bill Barry.