Despite recent hardships, Clement keeps on smiling

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 21:53:00 GMT

By Rachel Winfield, Copy Editor

Bill Clement waits in the Unibus for passengers to board. (Photo by Ryan Brodovsky)

Every day, students and faculty pile into the Unibus after parking in the Unitarian Church parking lot. They all say good morning to each other, and smile at the man most commonly known as “Bill the bus driver.” Bill Clement has been working at the school since Sept. 13, 1999, and, although he only gets the title of shuttle driver, his presence has a big effect on the community. Although Clement is always cheerful and always has something nice to say he has just recently undergone many hardships. If you watch closely enough, sometimes you’ll notice him wincing in pain when he steps into the Unibus or even saying “Ow” very quietly so no one can hear. Usually, if you ask him why he said it, he will say, “Did I really just say something? I didn’t mean to.” Eight years ago, Clement was water skiing on Folsom Lake. Because he was going too fast and the water was too shallow, he fell, ripping his right knee and shattering his left elbow. He needed surgery on his elbow right after the accident, and later, had a few different surgeries trying to repair his knee. After nine years of constant, worsening pain, he knew it was time to get a knee-replacement surgery. “I knew it was time because my knee kept giving out. Sometimes, when I would walk around or stand up, I would just fall down,” Clement said. His surgery, in July 2006, was successful, and afterwards he had to take only two months off work to let it heal. For the next few months, things were going well. But then, on Sept. 26, he drove home after work to a house engulfed in fire. His house and his neighbor’s were surrounded by fire trucks and firemen. By the time they put the fire out, everything was ruined. “A fireman escorted me through, and I found that all my belongings were burnt, scorched, or soaked with water with pieces of ceiling stuck all over the place. All of our personal belongings were ruined,” Clement said. “Everything was gone.” Luckily, the firemen had kicked in the door and saved a member of his family. “They saved Josh, our beloved dog. We’re thankful for that,” Clement said. Clement, his dog Josh and his wife Elaine “Mary” Clement slept in their car that night so that no one would try and loot their house. Someone actually broke into their neighbor’s house and attempted to steal certain salvageable items, but when the thief came to their house, Clement chased him off the property. The insurance company set the family up in a hotel, and, a couple days later, sent them to a condominium, in which they are currently living. Although he lost everything, Clement stays positive about the situation. He is also planning to rebuild his house, starting in March. Hopefully the rebuilding will be completed by July. Clement said that the SCDS community and his wife’s co-workers were sympathetic and generous. The community gave him money for the things he needed, and close family members even made them food. “Without their support, the event would have been so much harder to go through,” Clement said. “My wife’s co-workers might have supported her emotionally, but not mine. They tried to, but I would just put out my hand and tell them it wasn’t necessary,” he said. “I don’t like that kind of attention.” Clement also works at the school during the summer by filing papers and doing general office tasks for the faculty. “He’s one of the best employees I’ve ever had working for me,” said employer Rudi Rose. Driving the Unibus at SCDS is Clement’s 39th job. Before this occupation, he worked at swimming pool companies, car rental companies, and even managed a couple restaurants. But working at Country Day is definitely his favorite, he said. “I’ve been working here for seven years. The kids at this school make it a great job, and I enjoy every second of it,” he said. “I’m treated with the same respect that I give, and I really value that.”

The Octagon

Despite recent hardships, Clement keeps on smiling