Bill Thomas, of Gardendale, is a professional clown known as “Billy Bob the Clown.”

How did you start clowning?

I’ve been clowning for four years. I retired from Fed-Ex in 2005, and I decided to do something on the side. My wife suggested I try becoming a clown. I looked into a Ringling Brothers school, but then I heard about Magic City Clown School in Birmingham. They teach all the arts of clowning.

Are you a volunteer or do you have a fee?

A little of both. I can be hired for birthday parties and things like that, and that lets me pick up the slack on my supplies for when I volunteer. I spend about 45 to 50 hours a month volunteering. I volunteer at a lot of places, but I mostly do Children’s Hospital in Birmingham; I’m a member of Big Top Clowns there. I had some great mentors at Children’s Hospital.

I’m also a member of World Clown Association, Southeastern Clown Association, Clowns of America International and Magic Clown Town Alley. I’m the vice president and event coordinator for Magic Clown Town Alley, and we go to things like Magnolia Festival and the Vulcan Birthday Bash. A lot of times, people will call us and just ask us to do face painting.

What do you like about being a clown?

Well, I really like making the children happy; my heart is with Children’s Hospital. Whenever I make them smile and make the pain go away, that makes me happy. And I love it when parents and grandparents will stop me and thank me. I like doing magic, face-painting, balloons… I’m kind of an all-around clown. I like to get down on the children’s level, to get on the floor and play with them. I really appreciate what all clowns do for kids. Not everybody can be a clown, but everybody’s got a little clown in them.

— By Ben Montgomery