Honoring Uncle Bill's 90 Years

 

I could tell stories about Uncle Bill for hours, but since we are at a church and because he’s sitting right here, you have to get the short version. Uncle Bill was born in Virginia in 1927. He was the first of 13. After having a child like Uncle Bill, who else wouldn’t want twelve more? Despite all the efforts though, Bill Woody is certainly one of a kind.

With so many younger siblings, including the four sisters that came after him, Uncle Bill had to grow up fast. He was a big help to his mother with the chores and helping with all the kids. When Uncle Bill was in high school, the Woody family moved from Lima to Mad River Township, now known as Riverside, to build a home. During the construction, Uncle Bill was in charge of the tent that he hand his brothers slept in. Maybe it’s all the time he spent camping that made Uncle Bill so comfortable with going to the bathroom outside. I was at least a teenager before I saw him go to an indoor bathroom. It’s fitting that his bladder was trained to be strong during the winter months. At Grandma Woody’s though, we all knew what it meant when Uncle Bill would go down the steps, that were outside, which went to the basement.

There’s many one word answers that could be used to describe, Uncle Bill, but it would be hard to find one that is any more fitting than patriot. I think it’s safe to say that he loves this country more than anyone I know and is always the first to stand-up and salute whenever an American flag passes by. At the young age of 17, Uncle Bill joined the merchant marines and served in World War 2.

It all goes largely unnoticed, but Uncle Bill has made many contributions to Riverside. After returning home from the war, he noticed a lot of young boys in town, whose parents worked at the base. To keep them occupied and off the streets, Uncle Bill formed the Boy’s Club, which had over 100 members. He started baseball and basketball teams, as well as boxing matches on Saturday nights, which people bought tickets for. On Saturday mornings the boys would have a paper drive and the money raised was used for sporting equipment. The boys club made a positive impact on the lives of many young men, and also prepared them to succeed in high school sports. He then built the Yorktown Apartments and was in charge of their maintenance for several years. Uncle Bill also once ran for mayor in Riverside, and for him not winning, I blame the Russians.

After a day of work on one hot summer day, Uncle Bill stopped into a bar and ordered a burger. Meaning a burger beer, but the young waitress brought him a big, juicy hamburger. Uncle Bill decided that anyone that sweet needed to be his wife. They were married soon after. Imagine how many lives would have been different if Uncle Bill had just asked for a water that day.

While the Royal Wedding of Princess Diana is widely regarded as the Wedding of the Century, that title really belongs to the ceremony of Uncle Bill and Peg. It was simple, yet extreme. There weren’t many guests because everyone was in it. No son or daughter,brother, sister, niece or nephew, friend or neighbor was left out. It took so long for all of the bridal party to walk down the aisle, Uncle Bill had to step outside and find a tree for when nature called…twice. It was a wedding like no other, including the presentation of rings on a diaper pin.

Years later, Uncle Bill would work as a maintenance man at the Widow’s Home. It ended up being a job with great benefits, as its where he met Geraldine, who was also on staff there. Ends up that Geraldine would spend the next twenty plus years doing maintenance on Uncle Bill. She has done wonders.

Before going in to work at the widow’s home, Uncle Bill would stop by Grandma Woody’s house every morning to make her coffee, pour her juice, and get her pills ready. Some mornings were tough, as Grandma Woody occasionally expressed her thanks in unusual ways, but Uncle Bill always came through. By living right next door, he kept a really close eye on his mother, and was a willing servant. She would not have been able to be on her own without him.

Let’s be honest, one reason we are all so proudly celebrating your 90^th birthday is we’re thinking, if you can live 90 years, we have nothing to worry about. Uncle Bill hasn’t exactly followed the recommended guidelines for a healthy lifestyle, other than getting plenty of sleep. I believe you’ve had more weddings than doctor appointments, not counting trips to the vet. For whatever has ailed uncle Bill, the cure has been found in a can, or maybe six or nine cans of B12, also known as Millers. None of that lite stuff, but only the premium Millers. Unlike most other medications waiting four to six hours between doses isn’t required with Millers nor is reading the side of the can for possible side effects. There also isn’t a limit on how many you can have in a 24 hour period.

Uncle Bill was also a very talented fiddle player, I remember one particular New Years Eve back in the early 80’s when he put on a little concert. Another interesting fact, about Uncle Bill he received his high school diploma about 15 years ago. Much of the family went to Lima for the ceremony and as customary when going anywhere an hour away, they stopped to eat. The waitress asked if it was a special occasion, and Harm said, ‘we are going to my brothers high school graduation. He’s a little slow.’ She didn’t know what to think. Uncle Bill decided against college, but he is a big fan of Ohio State and never misses watching a game, though he might fall asleep if it’s on past 8:00.

Uncle Bill is a man who has never lived beyond his means, or gotten above his raisings. I admire that he has never prided himself on material things or social status, but its only love for others that matter. His home is small and simple, yet a mansion because its filled with love. He need not eat at five star restaurants with cloth napkins and menu items that can’t be pronounced, but places like Frisch’s is good enough because his nourishment comes from just being with others. Uncle Bill doesn’t need the newest modeled car with all the hi-tech accessories, not just because he can’t drive over bridges, but his spirit is present wherever he needs to be anyway, even if his body isn’t. Material things are not of any importance, Uncle Bill has lived his life with the purpose of showing love and attention to others, its why he watched over his siblings when they were young, formed the boys club, served our country, took such great care of his mother, and at some point has hugged and kissed everyone that’s here today, probably the first time he met you.

Uncle Bill is also a great gardener, always has a good crop of tomatoes, and has planted something in each of us, whether we realize it or not, that will grow and always be a part of who we are. And we all wish you a very Happy Birthday.