Final Salute: Shriners clown kept ill children smiling

**Jason** · 07-11-2010, 12:18 PM

Bill Greene could paint, whittle, scuba dive and mold ceramics.
He could also blow, twist, coil and weave balloons into flowers and animals. That’s when his massive, almost head-sized hands were at their best, according to friends.
Greene, who died of liver cancer at 68 on June 20, was known as “Tug Boat” around the halls of the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Portland, where in full clown garb he twisted balloons into flowers and coaxed laughs out of seriously ill patients.
“He loved the kids when he was clowning and doing his Shriners work,” said Greene’s live-in girlfriend, Maxine Sullivan. “He loved blowing balloons for the kids.”
Greene struggled with a chronic lung disease. He died of liver cancer, but not before living a full life, his friends said. Throughout his battle with the illness that overtook him, his smile endured.
Greene was said to love football.
He was a member of the board that launched the Shriners Freedom Bowl Classic. The eighth annual edition of the all-star high school football game will be played tonight at Kiggins Bowl.

read more Final Salute: Shriners clown kept ill children smiling | The Columbian

lightning · 07-13-2010, 03:45 PM

If his biggest joy in life was bringing smiles to the faces of children, then he did indeed, live a full life. We need more people like him.

Ashlar2006 · 07-16-2010, 10:15 AM

Agreed , and his place in heaven is firmly secured .

GrapeApe · 07-19-2010, 01:31 PM

He is with all our other brothers who have passed before us. May he be happy in the Big Hall until we all are together again. He is discussing everything over with Ben, George and Franklin and now knows all of the secrets of the universe. Farewell, rest well and think of some good stories to tell when the rest of us get there.

07-11-2010, 12:18 PM	#1
Jason Guard Dog 2012 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 3,126 Lodge:	Final Salute: Shriners clown kept ill children smiling Bill Greene could paint, whittle, scuba dive and mold ceramics. He could also blow, twist, coil and weave balloons into flowers and animals. That’s when his massive, almost head-sized hands were at their best, according to friends. Greene, who died of liver cancer at 68 on June 20, was known as “Tug Boat” around the halls of the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Portland, where in full clown garb he twisted balloons into flowers and coaxed laughs out of seriously ill patients. “He loved the kids when he was clowning and doing his Shriners work,” said Greene’s live-in girlfriend, Maxine Sullivan. “He loved blowing balloons for the kids.” Greene struggled with a chronic lung disease. He died of liver cancer, but not before living a full life, his friends said. Throughout his battle with the illness that overtook him, his smile endured. Greene was said to love football. He was a member of the board that launched the Shriners Freedom Bowl Classic. The eighth annual edition of the all-star high school football game will be played tonight at Kiggins Bowl. read more Final Salute: Shriners clown kept ill children smiling \| The Columbian __________________ Is trom an t-ualach an leisce. Ni heolas go haontios Agus na damnaithe fágtha gan focal Glaoigh ormsa i measc na naomh The sky is not the limit there are footprints on the moon.

07-16-2010, 10:15 AM	#3
Ashlar2006 Masonic Mafia Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ky Posts: 4,162 Lodge: Blog Entries: 3	Agreed , and his place in heaven is firmly secured . __________________ It is such a beautiful day , now watch some idiot screw it up !!!

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07-13-2010, 03:45 PM	#2
lightning Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 25 Lodge:	If his biggest joy in life was bringing smiles to the faces of children, then he did indeed, live a full life. We need more people like him.

07-19-2010, 01:31 PM	#4
GrapeApe Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 20 Lodge:	He is with all our other brothers who have passed before us. May he be happy in the Big Hall until we all are together again. He is discussing everything over with Ben, George and Franklin and now knows all of the secrets of the universe. Farewell, rest well and think of some good stories to tell when the rest of us get there.