Bill & Linda Center
THE JOURNEY IS EVERYTHING
A few weeks before hurricane Ivan in 2004, Linda and Bill Center had just moved to Gulf Shores from North Georgia. With the hope of retiring, Linda had sold her dance and gymnastic business where she had been teaching and directing approximately three hundred students a week for thirty years in Dalton, Georgia. Bill was a retired engineer from Jasper, GA. looking for anything exciting to do.
As they soon discovered, they were too young at heart to completely retire so they took their passion for boating, got their USCG Captain's license, moved to Gulf Shores, AL and opened a private boat charter business for inland water boat cruising, dolphin sightseeing, and family fun. Needless to say, hurricane Ivan changed all that.
Like so many people that were devastated by hurricane Ivan, they lost their home, boat docks, car, business and just about everything else. They decided to stick it out and make lemonade out of lemons. After dealing with insurance companies and picking up the pieces, they began to rebuild on the property they fell in love with. It wasn't the right time for Linda to give up her gift of teaching. She went back to her first love of sharing dance and tumbling with children in the local churches and schools. She also volunteered her time helping women in crises at the Women's Care Medical Center. Using their talents, hard work, and determination the Center’s rebuilt their multi-use home, Bon Villa, on Plash Island in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Never give up. Have hope and faith in you heart. Linda and Bill had a vision, the vision turned into a dream, and now their dream has become reality. The journey is everything. Bon Villa, the surrounding grounds, and the pier/boat dock make a beautiful setting for weddings, receptions, and special events for all occasions. The Center’s want to keep the business small and personal so they can give individual attention to their customers.
Between them, Bill and Linda have five children, two grandsons, one granddaughter, and two furry best friends.
