Deceased Bill started his wrestling career in 1958 as an assistant coach under lyle Pugh at Shadle Park High School and in 1967 started officiating in the Spokane League for the Inland Empire Wrestling Officials Association. Bill had 38 years of experience as a wrestling official working 12 state tournaments, 20 regional tournaments, 37 district tournaments and spent 5 years as a NAIA/Pac 8 collegiate wrestling official. In 1983 and 1989 Via was the Frontier league Official of the Year. In 1990 he was the Washington Coaches Association Official of the Year for District 81 and in 1996 was presented with the Outstanding Service Award by Shadle Park High School. In 1999 Via received the 25 year Award from the Sportswriters and Broadcasters and in 2003 the Greater Spokane League awarded him their Outstanding Official's Award.