'B’man' continues to enjoy his honking 'Beeple,' but now also volunteers, raises money for charity

After receiving countless beeps and honks from the motoring public, B’man is giving back.

Sixteen-year-old Bill Carney, also known as B’man, is a fixture most evenings at what his family dubs his “corner office,” located at the corner of Freeport and Fox Chapel roads in the Fox Chapel Plaza parking lot.

B’man was born prematurely, weighing just 1 pound, 14 ounces. He suffered a stroke that affected his entire left side, and he has severe cerebral palsy.

What he lacks in mobility he more than makes up for with his enthusiasm for motorized vehicles.

From Porsches to Port Authority buses, Maseratis to firetrucks, no honks from his “Beeple” (people) disappoint B’man.

The Trib first interviewed B’man in 2019 when his “BEEP for B’man” experience began.

He occupies his corner office most days and dons a full-body, waterproof sleeping bag during frigid winter conditions.

B’man has developed close relationships with local police and fire departments.

Now, he volunteers and raised money for charity to celebrate his 16th birthday.

Bethany Carney, B’man’s mother, said the people of Pittsburgh welcomed her family with open arms after they relocated from Michigan in 2018 seeking surgical options for her son.

“Pittsburgh has been absolutely phenomenal,” she said. “We’ve made so many friends, and everyone’s been so supportive. The simple thing of sitting on a corner brings so much joy to everyone.”

Bill lives with his mother and twin brother, Paul, in O’Hara. He attends school at The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh.

The family still reels from the unexpected death of their husband and father, who suffered a heart attack during a business trip five years ago.

Last December, B’man and his brother raised and donated $440 to the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.

“It was their idea,” Bethany Carney said.

Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department arranged Bill’s first ride on their new firetruck that was delivered to the department last week.

Fire Chief Louis Costanzo said his company has been beeping at B’man for about two years.

Costanzo said the fire department keeps tabs on B’man’s Facebook page.

“As soon as we hear B’man’s out there, we take a truck over to beep,” Costanzo said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

Costanzo said Bill was able to ring the air horn himself during his firetruck ride thanks to a cord that was attached to the horn.

“He had a blast,” Costanzo said. “He’s a great person, and he makes himself known with his facial expressions.”

Paul Carney is training as a junior firefighter with the Blawnox-Glenover Volunteer Fire Company. He brings his brother with him during frequent visits to the firehouse.

“I’m happy that ‘B’ is involved and love being able to support him having these experiences,” said Paul, a Fox Chapel Area High School student.

Rick Lee, captain of the Blawnox-Glenover Volunteer Fire Company, said the company makes an effort to drive by B’man’s corner office and beep when they are driving the firetrucks to and from training events.

“B’man brightens up a room, and it’s great to see how excited he gets about the vehicles,” Lee said. “He seems to like the large ladder truck the best.”

Lee said B’man is a Blawnox social member and volunteers during department fish fries from his motorized wheelchair running food orders.

“I think it’s fantastic that everyone wants to help him, and he wants to return the favor by giving back,” Lee said.

Bill underwent a successful spinal fusion operation performed by Dr. Ozgur Dede, an orthopedic surgeon, in 2018.

His mother described the procedure as “life-changing” and said he continues to receive physical therapy to help him have greater control of his muscles.

Fox Chapel Plaza owner Alex Condron continues to allow B’man to occupy his corner office, and Bethany said she is grateful for the opportunity.

“He’s just been wonderful,” she said.

Carney said she never intended to see B’man’s love of cars evolve into a community collaboration.

“There was no intention for it to be anything of any size, and it’s grown,” she said. “It shows how the community and the world needs to see good things, happy things. People will walk by and say “beep beep” and ride their bikes by and ring a bell.

“It’s simple, yes, but it’s the fact that people are so awesome about making him smile.”