Who is Bill's Father from The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid and what is their importance?

Bill's father grew up in Iowa and later became a sportswriter for The Des Moines Register. Bill shares his father's writing at several points in the book, noting that his dad was one of the best sportswriters of the time. He enjoyed going on trips with his father as well.

Bryson includes many details about his father's personality, describing him as a smart, caring individual. He also makes special note of his father's tendency to be a miser, choosing inexpensive vacations for the family, and a dentist who didn't believe in using Novocaine.