Hello, I am William Blakeslee, known as Bill to my family and friends.
I’m single, and a senior citizen, nearing 70 years of age. I will spend my 70th birthday in Hawaii next month.
I like to cook and bake, especially with Christmas coming up.
About William Blakeslee
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have two sisters, a nephew, a niece, a grand-nephew, and a grand-niece, and a dog..
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I’m semi-retired. Even though I am semi-retired, I work a seasonal job with the San Diego Padres, having put in 46 years as a guest service representative. I’ve met many great people during my employment with the Padres. Other times, I volunteer for the San Diego Blood Bank. I’ve volunteered for the blood bank for a little over two years. I enjoy this so very much. I have volunteered at donor centers, bloodmobiles, and even with administration. It’s all great and you meet interesting people, even people you know. I am also a 37-gallon blood donor myself.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Always try to be active, even if retired or semi-retired. That also includes traveling to other places.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Continue working for the Padres and volunteering for the San Diego Blood Bank.
William Blakeslee & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Outback Steakhouse, Duke’s La Jolla, Red Lobster.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived in San Diego for 67 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Former Mayor Pete Wilson. I sort of followed his work as a US Senator and governor of California.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The San Diego Blood Bank. They have been around for a long time. I’ve donated there for 49 years. They do a great job of getting people to donate, whether it’s money, blood, platelets, and, plasma. They work with hospitals helping people to get healthy.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The Padres. They have a great program for the fans.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Candy, who helps organize her annual blood drive. I met her last July at the Comic-Con blood drive. I will be volunteering at her next blood drive. I’d go anywhere to have lunch with her.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Movies: Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and True Grit (with John Wayne), and Polar Express.
TV show: All of the Hawaii 5-0 shows, both versions.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Probably just a quiet person. I quietly volunteer at my church, too.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Hard question to answer. Maybe an eight or nine. Got to give an honest answer.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Think ahead. Looking back can be sort of a bad thing.
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
The blood bank, my church, the Padres.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Stay active. Don’t stop.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
Bay Park.
What I love about my Neighborhood:
It’s a quiet neighborhood. I’ve lived in this neighborhood for 67 years after my family moved from Phoenix.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Watching college football on the TV. Volunteering in quieter times.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Home sweet home.
