Although william had been made aware of a family connection to the Cherokee in his 20s, he did not seek out anything about them until he felt spiritually lead to in June 1995 (at age 44) when he received a scholarship to attend a seminar at the Cove (Billy Graham Training Center) not too far from Cherokee, North Carolina.

Soon thereafter, Cherokee Bill's Trade Center became a part of the a touch of william family at the the newly created Teaching & Sharing Center [of Grand Ledge]. Often CBTC is seen as simply a gift shop.  However, its primary purposes are to teach (the genuine) Cherokee history and help Christians embracing the culture and history of indigenous tribes (or nations) on their journey.  As a part of a touch of william, Cherokee Bill's Trade Center also became an Independent Affiliated Ministry of the Teaching & Sharing Center[s] non-profit corporation in 2005.  The gift shop occupies the front room on the main floor at the Center.  An instructional display area about Cherokee history and culture is found upstairs. It is today referred to as Cherokee Bill's Teaching Center (also CBTC).  When speaking about all aspects of this ministry the name Cherokee Bill's Teaching & Trade Center is used to better reflect its broader scope.  CBTC remains a sole-proprietorship, has become a significant source of Cherokee information for many who are newly seeking their roots, and is helping to break the stereotypes of what "Indians" were, and are, all about. 

More information can be found by clicking on the Cherokee Bill's Teaching & Trade Center link below.  The "CBTC History" link on that primary page can also tell you more about how "Cherokee Bill" came into being.