A neighbor’s pear tree inspired this Pear Cream Pie recipe, which earned Bill a blue ribbon at the 2009 Arkansas State Fair. The makers of Pillsbury pie crusts also picked his pie as its national pie baking championship grand prize winner. Bill, a retired convenience store owner, won a $1,000 cash award for winning top pie. A contest judge noted, "This is not your 'average' cream pie. With the pre-baked lattice top and filling layer, it was a fun new twist on a traditional pear pie."