[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2195-E2196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE MEMORY OF MR. WILLIAM N. YEAGER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 8, 2006

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, Mobile and indeed the entire State of 
Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor him and 
pay tribute to his memory.
  William N. Yeager, Jr., known simply as ``Bill'' to his many friends 
and family, was a devoted family man and dedicated community leader 
throughout his entire life. At the time of his death, he was the 
president of Timbes and Yeager, Inc., one of the most respected names 
in advertising in the entire State of Alabama.
  Bill's company, although small in size, was both experienced and 
highly successful in all areas of advertising, public relations and 
marketing. Using his 50-plus years in the industry, Bill Yeager was one 
of those rare masters of his trade who, as the old saying goes, could 
truly sell ice to an Eskimo. And in so doing, Bill quickly earned the 
reputation as the ``go to'' man both in the world of business and the 
world of politics, especially throughout southwest Alabama.
  To know Bill Yeager was to like Bill and to like him was to respect 
him, even if, on occasion, you found yourself on the opposite side of 
his talent and genius.
  But make no mistake, Bill was also a teacher in every sense of the 
word and those who worked with him learned much. Moreover, the more you 
were around Bill the more you found him to be a kind, generous person 
who, while strong in his personal views and convictions,

[[Page E2196]]

was also willing to make room for other thoughts and ideas that were 
not his own.
  Those who worked with Bill, as I had the pleasure of doing for more 
than 22 years, came to know him as a man who wore many different hats. 
He had his hand in everything, and he was constantly in motion because 
he simply didn't have time to slow down; he had too many things yet to 
accomplish, too many friends yet to help.
  And help he did.
  Over the years, Bill served as president of Sales and Marketing 
Executives of Mobile, Junior Achievement, and Mobile Toastmaster Club. 
He was also a past board member and senior member of the Mobile Kiwanis 
Club.
  But perhaps few things in life meant more to Bill Yeager than his 
beloved University of Alabama. Without a doubt, Bill was crimson and 
white through and through. He was one of the real leaders in the Red 
Elephant Club, as well as serving as president of the Mobile Chapter 
and district vice president of the University's National Alumni 
Association. Bill was also a member of the President's Cabinet.
  This past football season was the first time in memory that Bill was 
not up in the stands of Bryant-Denny Stadium, pulling the Crimson Tide 
through to another victory.
  Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, ``The greatest gift is a portion of 
thyself.''
  Well, Bill Yeager was constantly giving . . . giving of his energy, 
his ideas and his talents to the people--and the things--that he loved.
  First and foremost, Bill loved his work. He loved the people with 
whom he worked in his trade, and he considered both his clients, and 
the associates with whom he came in contact every day, a part of his 
extended family.
  And Bill worked his heart out--every day he was at his office--trying 
to think of some new way, some better way he could help his friends 
succeed.
  Fortunately, for those of us who knew Bill professionally, we also 
knew he was a master of his art, the best of the best. Without 
question, Bill Yeager was truly an institution, the likes of which we 
may never see again. And make no mistake, Bill's legacy of success--and 
goodness--will most certainly stand the test of time.
  Bill Yeager loved Mobile; he loved Alabama; and he loved his Country. 
He was as patriotic a man as I ever knew and he was never ashamed to 
tear up when Old Glory was presented or the Star Spangled Banner was 
played.
  Finally, there is not a person who ever sought public office in south 
Alabama not one--whether they were the beneficiary of Bill's brilliant 
mind or on the ``receiving end'' of his considerable talents--who loved 
Mobile--or was willing to do more to help Mobile and south Alabama move 
forward--more than Bill Yeager. That list includes congressmen, 
senators, mayors, governors and practically every other elected 
position on the ballot.
  In life, there are always the givers and the takers.
  Well, without a doubt, Bill Yeager was a giver.
  But not only was he generous in spirit and good to the core, he had 
an unmistakable quality that is, sadly, becoming more and more rare 
with each passing day.
  You see, Bill treated each and every person equally--with the same 
degree of courtesy and respect--from the people who sweep the floors, 
to the president of the company.
  Moreover, he made everyone feel that their contribution--be it large 
or small had value and worth.
  Finally, Bill Yeager loved his friends, his church and his family, 
and not necessarily in that order.
  He was grounded in the faith of his salvation, and he had a twinkle 
in his eye whenever he talked about his beloved Betty and their 
children and grandchildren.
  That, Mr. Speaker, is what made Bill Yeager so special and it is why 
I am using this opportunity to honor him today. In the end, he was a 
great teacher, a man with an endless amount of energy, one who had an 
amazing mind and an awesome spirit and finally, a man who was the 
epitome of a true friend.
  Mr. Speaker, one of Bill's many admirers, Chip Drago, a longtime 
writer with the Press-Register and currently the editor of the Mobile 
Bay Times, penned the following tribute to Bill shortly after his 
death. With your permission, I would like to add Chip's piece to the 
Congressional Record.

                          Bill Yeager, R.I.P.

                            (By Chip Drago)

       ``Many, many times at one political gathering or another, 
     the scene was identical. Bill Yeager was easy to spot. Tall, 
     thin guy. Dark suit. Red tie. Eyeglasses. Every hair in 
     place. Standing on the fringe of the crowd. Right arm 
     across his chest, hand tucked under the armpit, other hand 
     against his left cheek, Jack Benny-like.
       `Where's Rochester?', I'd say.
       It got to be a standing joke. For a quarter of a century, 
     half my life, a third of his.
       Yeager positioned himself on the periphery purposely, 
     usually on the highest ground available. To see, not to be 
     seen. He perched like a bird of prey surveying a field or a 
     river. He wanted to see it all while his client/candidate was 
     being seen. His production, not his performance.
       Yeager could be forceful and he could dominate a scene but 
     rarely in public. He had enthusiasm, confidence and energy 
     which were the byproducts of his success over more than 50 
     years in advertising and political consulting. As a 
     consequence, he held strong opinions about campaign strategy. 
     Most candidates gladly followed his advice. Others gradually 
     adopted it. Some resisted. Yeager strove mightily to win them 
     over to his view, not because his ego required him to be the 
     boss but because he wanted the candidate to win. He wanted it 
     for the candidate, for his family, for his friends and 
     supporters and, yes, for himself. Sometimes, not often, the 
     candidate could not be persuaded and Yeager accepted it, 
     reluctantly because he knew he was right but also willingly 
     because he never forgot that it was the candidate's campaign, 
     not the consultant's.
       He lost some. He won most.
       Yeager was probably as or more competitive than any 
     candidate he ever represented. And that list is truly 
     breathtaking. From U.S. Rep. Jack Edwards in the 1960s to 
     City Councilman Ben Brooks' state Senate District 35 campaign 
     this fall. What fell in between and Yeager touched in one way 
     or another represents the history of politics and government 
     in the Mobile area since the closing of Brookley Field.
       Yeager had one quality that some thought endearing and 
     others found amusing. He could have a dubious view of one 
     elected official or another, particularly if the person was 
     causing problems for another official who was a Yeager 
     client. But let time pass and the suspect official become a 
     Yeager client, well, the transformation was remarkable. What 
     was once tawdry and dull suddenly shone.
       As seriously as he took the needs of his clients, Yeager 
     could laugh at himself a little bit, especially as he got 
     older. But make no mistake; if you were a media person, 
     Yeager was all about advancing the best interests of his 
     clients. He believed that what he saw and what he heard 
     filtered through the knowledge gained over the years was 
     ultimately what gave weight to whatever he might say or 
     recommend. Two eyes, two ears, one mouth. Use them in that 
     proportion, in that order.
       So there he is on the edge of the crowd, arm across his 
     chest, hand captured under the armpit, other hand pressed to 
     his cheek, eyes intent on the flow of folks in and out, here 
     and there, who's with whom, sometimes leaning in to the 
     person standing next to him, half listening, his eyes not 
     leaving the crowd. But say something worth hearing and there 
     were subtle changes. His neck craned in a little closer. His 
     eyes left the crowd and focused on the speaker. His lower lip 
     jutted out. You had his attention.
       Time will pass. Candidates will come and candidates will 
     go. Campaigns will be run. There will be fundraisers, 
     receptions, kickoff announcements, press conferences and 
     election nights. It is hard to imagine that Yeager won't be 
     there just outside the frame taking it all in.
       ``Where's Rochester?''
       Mr. Speaker, William N. Yeager, Jr. is survived by his 
     wonderful wife, Betty; three daughters, Sherry Yeager, Susan 
     Coffey and Cynthia Hilburn; one brother, Dr. Charles Yeager; 
     six grandchildren and countless other relatives and friends. 
     Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during this 
     difficult time.

                          ____________________