Bill Boer was a Long Island drag racer who always triumphed the race and stole the trophy at the Hampton Dragway quarter-mile. His winning ability combined with his habit of whipping off his helmet after he shifted into second gear earned him the nickname Wild Bill.

William J. Boer died November 3, 2005. He was 73 years old.

Born in Flushing, Queens, he grew up in Central Islip before moving to Brentwood in 1975, where he lived with his wife, Roseann and seven children for 31 years.

A professional auto mechanic, he was shop foreman at Rice Chevrolet and owned several gas stations, such as the B&H Sunoco in Sayville, the Carleton Sunoco and Vets Automotive Performance.

During the 1960’s, he was a famous racer who graced the pages of Hot Rod and Car Craft magazines. Although he owned many, some of his favorite cars were his 1964 Opal, a 1967 Chevelle named "Too Bad," a 1941 Willys B’Gasser and a 1969 Big Block SS Camaro, which he still had.

"He was the most generous and unselfish human being I knew. He was always there for us no matter what," said his daughter Joann. "Two of my brothers and I proudly followed in his footsteps, and we used to go drag racing as a family."

Mr. Boer leaves behind his wife of 29 years, Roseann; his children: Joann, Jack, Gina, Leeann, Steve, Aimee and Jean and many "surrogate" children; his grandchildren: Noelle, Nikki, Meagan, Jason, Zoe, John and another on the way.

Mr. Boer reposed at the Thomas P. Walsh Funeral Home, Inc., 60 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip. A religious service was held on November 6, 2005. A funeral mass was held was held November 7, 2005 at St. John of God Church in Central Islip. Interment followed in the Queens of All Saints Cemetery, Central Islip.