Billy Greer, with his wife and son. Visit the Photo Place

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Fundraiser will help young coach with cancer

Spotsylvania youth coach says players and family are his motivation in fighting cancer

Date published: 3/1/2007

By Rob Hedelt

HAVING FACED surgery to remove a 10-pound tumor and most of his hip, energy-draining chemotherapy and the prospect of more procedures to fight a rare form of bone cancer, Billy Greer has moments when the pain seems too much.

But the Spotsylvania County husband, father and longtime youth coach has a special motivation.

The 37-year-old, who has lost almost 90 pounds so far, credits his wife, Jennifer, and friends and family members with helping him cope since the diagnosis of metastatic osteosarcoma in August.

But when the chemo has his blood count so low that sitting up is a Herculean feat, Greer has one last resort.

He remembers what he preaches to the basketball and baseball players he coaches.

"I always tell them that their job is to work hard and get better, giving everything they've got," he said. "It's my turn to work with everything I have to get better. They depend on me, and I can't let them down by not getting back to coaching."

This weekend, a host of others will join the support for the Greers.

They've been chosen as the beneficiaries of Saturday's 23rd annual Oyster Roast, hosted by White Oak Equipment and Stafford's Friendship Baptist Church.

Since its inception, the event has raised more than $450,000 for families dealing with illness or misfortune, last year clearing $54,300.

The Greers say money from the roast will cover medical expenses, the loss of Jennifer's income during a leave of absence to care for her husband and making their house more accessible for Billy.

Greer's love of sports started during neighborhood games that led to playing time on the Stafford High basketball court. By then he already was coaching a cousin on a Stafford parks and rec team.

Billy and Jennifer, who met working at the Deacon Road Food Lion in high school, married right after she graduated from Mary Washington College in 1991.

She went to work for GEICO; he signed on as a computer specialist at Fort Belvoir.

Greer's family grew with the arrival of son Ryan 11 years ago. Soon, father was coaching his own son and other people's children.

Where and when: 3 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday at White Oak Equipment on State Route 3 in Stafford County. Cost: No set fee, but donations will be accepted. Another way to donate: Mail check to Friendship Baptist Church, 410 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg, Va. 22405. Write "Billy Greer" on memo line.

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Date published: 3/1/2007