Homer Hickam official Web site - October Sky/Rocket Boys, The Keeper's Son.

William "Bill" Bolt, the company machinist who helped the Rocket Boys with their rockets, was called Leon Ferro in the book and Leon Bolden in the movie October Sky. In the second Coalwood memoir out Fall 2000, called The Coalwood Way, he got back his real name. Bill was born in House #2 in Coalwood, October 4, 1923. He and his wife Reba who is a graduate of Welch High School, still reside in Coalwood, as does a daughter. They have 3 children, all graduates of Big Creek High School and 2 out of 5 grandchildren also graduated from BCHS. A great-grandchild is still attending the First grade at War Elementary School.

Bill says, "All the residents of Coalwood love the attention "Sonny" has generated with his very famous books and movie, especially me. I hope it continues for as long as I am around and I will just bask in the limelight!"