“I married my wife, Joan, when I was 70. She was married several times before me, but she was my first wife. Joan of Arc is what I call her. She got sick and started falling down a lot so her family put her in a home. She died four days after being put in that home. I believe she died of a broken heart.”
Meet Bill
I met Bill on a cool breezy walk near the corner of Beechmont and Wolfangel, and he told me about Joan before he told me his name. He was pushing a bright red walker that doubled as a chair. We chatted as the guys at Valvoline clanged away on a customer’s car behind us.
Bill was a cook while stationed in Berlin during the Vietnam war. He told me his control over the coffee rations made him a pretty powerful man on base. Higher ranking officials were known to stop by and apologize to Bill after one incident or another, so as to smooth over any animosity that may have developed and keep the coffee flowing for their units.
Sometime after the war, he went to work for Zumbiel’s Packaging in Norwood. He was at work the day of the BASF chemical plant explosion nearby that rocked the entire area. Bill recalled the chaos of that day where one person died and dozens were injured:
“I remember all the glass and debris everywhere. I’ve never seen so many cops and firefighters in one place since then. Eventually they tried to recruit me to help with cleanup but I noticed some of the workers had HAZMAT suits and some didn’t. When I offered to help if they gave me a suit, they just moved on to the next guy.”
Metro, Menacing, and Karaoke
During our conversation, Bill wanted to make sure I knew he had a bone to pick with some of the Metro bus drivers. He says some of the drivers don’t wait long enough for older riders trying to make it to the bus on time. He has watched helplessly as some of his friends were left behind by impatient drivers after being just a few feet away from reaching the bus door. “I don’t like a lot of the drivers,” said Bill. “Except Tim. Tim’s a good driver and a good man.”
Recently in Newport, a man threatened to punch Bill’s teeth out after some kind of altercation. “I told him if you can knock my teeth out, I’ll give you $1,000 dollars,” said Bill. Then he said he smiled real big to the guy to show him he didn’t have many teeth left to knock out, and the guy walked away.
When he’s not causing trouble in Newport, Bill said he frequents The Lounge up the street where he likes to sing Karaoke. For Halloween this year he’s dressing as John Wayne. “I got an eye patch and everything,” Bill told me. “I’m going to be Big Duke and my dog is going to be Little Duke.”
Eventually Bill had to get home to The Ashford of Mt. Washington where he lives. He said I should stop by if I’m looking for more stories or characters because The Ashford is full of them. He told me about a good friend he has there that belly laughs at everything. “You can say anything and he’ll just crack up laughing,” Bill told me eagerly.
I noticed that talking about his laughing friend put a smile on Bill’s face that lingered as he walked away to the bus stop to head home.
Did you miss Beechmont Stories (Part Two)? Check it out here.
I love these stories!! So cool to hear what everyone has to say. Brian, you are such a kind person – what a cool series!
Thanks for the kind words Alli!
I love these also! In our busy lives we don’t take the time to hear strangers stories…I love reading about their stories and what they choose to share!!!
I agree Heather! Thanks for reading!
Thank you for sharing, caring and reminding us all.
Awe I love seeing these. I got injured in 2016, and most of these folks rode the bus. I’m sure they are wondering where I went, but it’s so great to have updates on these folks. I finally moved off Beechmont after 18 years…but I was among them.
Looking forward to the next story!
-M