Photography: Dustin Ashcraft

Loving the warm weather and enjoying the Gulf of Mexico, Corpus Christi meteorologist Bill Vessey (Channel 3) has made his lifestyle optimal in both his business and personal life. He has created his world just the way he envisioned, and the citizens of Corpus are very happy that he did.

His popularity in Corpus and the surrounding areas is astounding. Vessey has made his life into a win-win situation almost every day. That is what we call a dream job, and Vessey could not be happier.

Graduating with a B.A. in journalism from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Vessey continued his education at Mississippi State University with a broadcast meteorology degree.

He explains that he majored in journalism at A&I "because they didn't have broadcasting as an option. They let me work at the college radio station instead of the newspaper. From there, I got my first jobs in radio news in Kingsville, then in Corpus."

Actually working as a news reporter at Channel 3, "I was even the interim news director for several months before moving to Laredo to be a sportscaster," he says. "I have always been a sports fan. My goal was to work at KTSA in San Antonio. I did that before moving back to Corpus to do sports on Channel 6."

He earned the San Antonio Press Club's Best Newscast Award. The word, "impressive," does not seem strong enough. Wherever Vessey ventured, he earned more awards and still does to this day.

The influential factor in making a career choice was Vessey's departure as the "sports guy on Channel 6. Channel 3 hired me to do weather on Monday and Tuesday mornings. I figured if I was going to be a weatherman, I wanted to be good at it. So I went back to school to learn meteorology."

This native New Yorker inherited his dislike of cold weather from his father. "When it was time to go to college, I decided to move to where it was warm," he says. "That is how I ended up in Texas."

And there is no going back East in Vessey's future. This well-known meteorologist is in the warm zone in more ways than one. His fan list seems to be infinite, and if you ever meet this man, you will know why.

Getting a glimpse of a day in the life of Vessey is interesting, indeed. "My day at Channel 3 is not what most people would think," he says. "I spend more time as a graphic artist. Of the eight hours a day I am there, I probably spend three hours forecasting, four hours and 54 minutes making graphics and six minutes on TV."

Vessey also has another job. He teaches undergraduate courses at the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Teaching meteorology and meteorology lab since 2002, he truly enjoys this part of his career, as well.

"Teaching is the best," he says. "I enjoy it totally because I continue to learn new things. I also get to keep up-to-date with what the young people are up to. It keeps me young."

It also seems to enhance his sense of humor. On Facebook, there is a "Bill Vessey Facts" page, and you just have to love it. Although Vessey does not actually do the writing and posting, he agrees that it's funny.

"One of the guys at work gets the credit," he says. "I think I know who it is, but I'm not sure. I will add something now and then to join in the fun."

An example of what you will find on this page is "Bill Vessey once visited a psychic … to warn her." Entertainment at its best, "When Bill Vessey was a kid, he used to lecture his parents."

If you want to laugh (and who doesn't?), visit the Facebook page. It's a fascinating read that leaves you smiling and makes you want to meet not

only Vessey, but also the guys at Channel 3 KIII TV in Corpus.

On the Internet, there is also a "Bill's YouTube" channel. "It is there to keep up with the times," Vessey says. "If I think something I did is funny, or someone makes a comment that something I did made them laugh, I will put it on there. I use it for my friends, friends in the weather business and my students."

This tells a story about Vessey's character. Wanting to share the good times with those he socializes with, works with and teaches certainly says a great deal about this multi-award-winning meteorologist.

Having achieved the highest level of broadcast meteorology recognition possible, Vessey was one of the first people in the world to earn the American Meteorological Society's Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal. He was No. 36 to pass the test.

"Now they are up to 300-plus, but at the time, I was one of only 36 on the planet to have that seal," he says. "I am just a good ole' boy both on the set and off. I certainly hope people see me that way."

His notorious phrase – "hola, amigos" – is very popular and indicates just how much of a Texan boy he is. Talking to Vessey validates his wonderful demeanor and keen sense of humor.

More awards have been given to him. There is the Best of the Best. Sponsored by the Caller-Times newspaper, "their readers vote on whom they like," he says. "I have been lucky enough to win several times."

Winning this award does not seem to correlate with luck, even though Vessey states as such. The Best of the Best is judged on talent, intelligence, skill and a great personality.

Vessey is humble, though, and does not let any of this make him seem larger than life. In fact, his attitude about people and life leans toward being "part of the normal world," he says. "I am just like all of you. My job happens to be on TV. That is the only difference."

Elaborating further, he tells stories about being off the air. "I can be shopping or going out to dinner, and my friends are the ones that say everyone is looking at me. I don't even notice because I am a regular guy."

Vessey talks about how people channel surf. "People say to me, 'Oh, there's George Clooney.' Next, they see John Wayne during the surfing process. And then they say, 'There's you.' It is not a big deal because I am just like all of you. I am doing my job, and I enjoy it."

Looking ahead, Vessey wants to continue doing the weather on Channel 3. He wants to fulfill his dreams. "I still need to do a lot of traveling," he says, "and I want to see a lot of things that I have not had the opportunity to do yet."

One of his lifelong desires came true this past Christmas. He received a skateboard. Never having had the opportunity to learn before now, Vessey enjoys the challenge. He is certainly young at heart.

Loving the beach and working for "the No. 1 station" also enables him to enjoy all aspects of his life. As a perfectionist, Vessey says, "I don't just want to be good. I try to be perfect, knowing that I can't. But in the process of trying to be perfect, I can be excellent."

And his ratings and viewers on both TV and the Internet indicate that Vessey is as close to perfect as possible.

Channel 3 TV is located at 5002 S. Padre Island Drive, Copus Christi, Texas 78411. For more information, call 361-986-8300, visit www.kiiitv.com or www.billvessey.com or look for "Meteorologist Bill Vessey" on Facebook.