LOCAL TALENT
PEO PLE
Living a ‘Wonderful Life’ Nonagenarian Bill Van Riper delights by crooning on stage at venues around The Villages. STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL
ill Van Riper, 91, proudly takes credit for being the oldest singer on stage when he performs at Barb’s Barn Country Music in Oxford, Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale, or Morgan’s Music Junction in Summerfield. “Every time I sing, I break the record again,” says the New Jersey native who has lived at Spruce Creek South, near The Villages, for 25 years. He was 85 the first time he publicly sang “You Are My Sunshine” in a duet with Suzanne Morgan at Orange Blossom Opry. From there, Bill has been a weekly regular singing and dancing at Barb’s Barn. Since COVID-19 restrictions began easing, he has been invited to area venues and churches, and even asked to sing a cappella at small funerals. His most requested song is Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” Bill is thankful to wake up each day. “The Lord has blessed me with good health, no heart problems, no stents, no
≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL
diabetes. Doctors predict I’ll live to be 100, but 92 is my next goal,” he says in anticipation of his June 5 birthday. Most days, Bill says he feels like he’s 75. In addition to singing, he keeps active as a volunteer at The Villages Regional Hospital, delivering 14 meals to the homebound in Fruitland Park, sitting on the Spruce Creek advisory board, spraying and pulling weeds for four neighbors, serving as visitation minister at Community United Methodist Church in Fruitland Park, and even carpooling a 100-year-old friend to the Opry. The retired life insurance agent who outlived two wives had six children, 15 grandchildren, and seven greatgrandchildren. In addition to singing, he has kept active by swimming, bowling and playing tennis for 72 years. Five years ago, he won a gold medal in The Villages Senior Games with a 90-year-old tennis partner. “I’ve been called Romeo,” he says, quickly noting that in his case, the name is an acronym for “retired old man entertaining others.” “I’m just happy doing what I’m doing and keeping busy,” says Bill, adding that he has one goal when he sings: “I like to make people smile.”
Do you know talented people in the community? Send recommendations to theresa@akersmediagroup.com.
074 /
L A K E A N D S U M T E R S T Y L E .C O M • D E C ' 2 0
