Bill Jansen was the long time boys and girls Cross Country/Track and Field coach of the Valley City Hi-Liners. Bill was also a Charter Member of the Valley City Optimist Club. Bill started the Optimist Club Road Race/Walk in 1981 and managed it until his death from leukemia in 2003. The Optimist Club renamed the road race the "Bill Jansen Road Race/Walk" after his passing and continue the annual tradition to this day.