Dad's Retirement Poem

Dad had a farewell gathering at work where his colleague read a poem she had written.  I think she nailed it.

Ode to the Chief Bean Counter

Bill came to the County January 25, of ‘99

Twelve years have passed – how the time did fly

Back in the those days, Randy and Jennifer were our neighbors

He hadn’t been here long when Dedra went into labor

It took folks a while to get accustomed to his ways

But once we got adjusted, sometimes we were amazed

He didn’t have a lot to say when he was new to us

He still doesn’t say much, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard him fuss

His dry sense of humor still catches us by surprise

And when he cracks a funny, sometimes we laugh till we cry

A neat, orderly office have never been his strong suit

But he usually knows where something is within a stack or two

Co-workers have come and gone from Randy, Jennifer, Dedra and Debbie

To Ernst, Michelle, Maria, Linda, Tania and Melody

Being the most fiscally frugal was Bill’s title alone

Then Badger came along and knocked him off that throne

He always walks to work unless it happens to be raining

You can tell by looking at him that it keeps him weight from gaining

He’s an avid reader and he likes to fish and hike

He likes to cook, he likes to eat and he likes to ride his bike

Bill has spent a lot of his personal time involved in helping others

And from all he’s done, you’d say he truly is a brother

From the Folk School, IOI, and House raising volunteers

To the United Way, Homeless shelter and Crop Walk, he’s been doing this for years

It seemed to those of us who know him that grandkids made him more mellow

When all those little girls came along, he became a more relaxed fellow

The sign in his office that said “Scenic Overlook”

Soon lost its place to ‘Grandpa’s Photo Book’

One of his goals in retirement is to ride his bike from Franklin

I think that when he’s done with that trip his tongue will be hangin’

A 50 mile ride that is mostly on an incline

When you finish that trip, we hope you’ll still be fine

His loving wife, Mary, often calls him Willie

Let’s hope his retirement doesn’t drive her silly

As Bill leaves us to start his days of rest

Join me in letting him know that we wish him all the best!

We all know you will enjoy your 'next phase'.  Congrats again!  Love, Anna