William "Bill" Shillito
Governor, District 7670

Bill Shillito joined the Rotary Club of Catawba Valley in 1992, when he was invited by Larry Bowman. He has served his club in many capacities, including President (2001-2002), the Regal Eagles and Class in Black. Bill served District 7670 in various roles including District Conference Chairman for DG Efland and DG Troutman, and Assistant Governor at Large.

After high school, Bill went into the US Army, where he served for 22 years. His assignments included a tour of duty in Vietnam as a Warrant Officer aviator, flying almost 1,000 hours, both Combat and Combat Support Missions. Returning to Ft. Bragg, NC, Bill began to work on his undergraduate degree, completing it in 1979 with a Bachelors Degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. From there he completed a Masters Degree from Central Michigan in Personnel Management.

Upon completion of his bachelor’s degree Bill received a direct commission as First Lt.  He served in a Armored Tank Company as Platoon Leader.  Bill went on to serve in various Aviation units in Savannah, GA, and Seattle, WA.  From there Bill was selected to teach at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Enroute to teaching at the Academy, Bill was selected to attend Harvard Business School’s MBA program. After two years in Boston, Bill and his family moved to West Point, where he taught for three years.

Bill retired in 1992. He and his family moved back home to NC. He took a position with Prodelin, an antenna manufacturing company, located in Newton and Catawba, NC. Prodelin designs, manufactures, markets and sells satellite antennas world wide and is recognized as the market leader.  He served in various positions including GM. Bill recently joined with a partner to begin a start up company offering high speed internet access to a four county area around Hickory.

Bill is married to Rebecca “Diane” Rudisill of Vale, NC. They met in high school and have been life long sweethearts since. They have two sons, Casey, married with two children, and Ty, married with four children.