Marty Connor 1440 Robin Road Coatesville, PA 19320 610-384-4921 tenor1921 @ gmail. com

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! I heard from five of my classmates— Emerick, Hill, Skeath, Fisher, and Thomas. I didn’ t hear from Price, so I assume he is living. I also spoke with Blair Hockers’ wife and she is residing with her son. Preston didn’ t make it to the last Alumni Day. He is walking with a walker and felt Alumni Day would be too tough for him. I wonder if Fisher is still playing tennis?

I’ m a football fan … especially of West Chester University. My son-in-law is one of the defensive line coaches. Both he and my daughter are members of the Glenn Killenger Foundation, which has its advantages: reserved parking, two tents set up with catered food, a 10-minute miniconcert performed by the band while you are eating, reserved seating on the 50-yard line, with seats equipped with backs, soft pretzels and cokes during the game, and a souvenir program. I don’ t miss any home games. I enjoy the 325-piece band as much as the games.

I’ m still exercising three days a week at the local senior center. I attribute this to why I am physically able to attend Alumni Day each year. I’ m still singing in my church choir, but it is tough reading notes and words at the same time … and my voice ain’ t what it used to be— no more solos.

Hope you all hang in there at your old age!

As ever, Marty

Dave Clark 801 Haldeman Road Schwenksville, PA 19473 610-287-9065 dfclarksr @ aol. com

2017 is here. Wow, we made it! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and I wish you a very happy and healthy 2017.

I had a call from John McCarter on Christmas morning that was my highlight. He is doing good, but has a breathing problem which he can handle. He had three or four trips to the hospital before they found blood clots in his lungs.

Don Harris is doing well, but his wife has a few problems though she seems better at this time.

Charlie Rushton has a few issues that are giving him some problems. Kay and I still meet Charlie and Peggy on the second Wednesday of the month at 8 a. m. for breakfast. Join us if you can.

I had a pacemaker put in on Dec. 13 and I am doing very well.

Guys, please call or drop me a note to let us all know what’ s happening in your life. Keep busy, exercise, and enjoy life!

David Clark’ 46

Class of 1947

The following poem, written by the late James F. Stokes, is being included here in his memory.

A Williamson Man By James F. Stokes 4W7

As I stood on the stage, diploma in

hand, I was told something, I didn’ t understand, Someone said to me,“ Son, you are not just a man, because today you became a Williamson Man.”

Yes, I’ d completed the course and finished the race, And I was now prepared for the challenges I’ d face, I knew there’ d be hard times but life seemed so grand, that day when I, became a Williamson Man.

Six decades have gone by since I joined the clan, of men known far and wide as a Williamson Man, and the world has changed from the one I once knew, back on that day, when I was young like you. And the world’ s changing still and not all for the best, so always remember those truths deep in your chest, for truth, honor and trust are not things of the past, they’ re golden strands of happiness that forever more last.

Live a life of integrity- to your own self be true, be diligent, strive for excellence in all that you do, be faithful and give others a helping hand, then the world will know you- are a Williamson Man.

Dick Phillips 127 Richard Road Aston, PA 19014 610-497-3878 dickp127 @ verizon. net

A few days after ringing in the New Year I am attempting to jot down a few notes for the Williamsonian. It turns out that this is the first snow of the new year and while it was only a dusting it was pretty for a short time.

9 / 28 / 16 An email from Ed and Carol Freno wishing us a memorable and joyous day on our 67th wedding anniversary. Ed has been so faithful and every year remembers our anniversary on Sept. 10. We are happy to have had so many wonderful years together and hope to keep counting!

9 / 28 / 16 We were notified by President Rounds that a tribute to the life of Wayne C. Watson 4W8 would be held on Sept. 28 at 10:00 a. m. in the Clara Shrenk Memorial Chapel. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend but I took some time that day to remember my friend and classmate who spent a major part of his life serving Williamson.

9 / 28 / 16 An email from Williamson announced that William Bonenberger 7W9 was elected chairman of the board of trustees at their September meeting. I have met Bill on several occasions and I feel the board made an admirable decision. I wish Bill well as he assumes his new position.

12 / 11 / 16 Bob Rupert called, he needed an address for Walter Jackson. Walt had moved a while back and I gave Bob his new address. Bob told me he has arthritis in his back and has trouble walking. He also said his wife fell off a ladder bruising her side badly. Fortunately, nothing was broken but I am sure the pain remains. Bob it was good to hear from you, but I was sorry to hear about all your problems. Hang in there guys, at our age we all have problems, unfortunately.

12 / 19 / 16 Ruth Lee called to see how we were doing. She recently had a fall and has back problems, sounds like disc trouble and she is going to have the operation on Jan. 9. Ruth heard about Wayne Watson’ s passing and was very sorry about the loss of another old friend.

1 / 7 / 17 Last, but not least, I will update you what has been happening with Donna. On 11 / 27 / 16 she had pain in her left leg.

She went to Riddle Hospital and discovered she has a fracture just above her knee, possibly due to amiss hap which occurred while trying to get onto the commode. She was in the hospital about five days and has an immobilizer cast on the leg to keep it straight and hope it heals. We took her home and put her in a hospital bed and we are giving her Heparin shots in the belly every eight hours around the clock to prevent blood clots. All was going well as could be expected and we had a quiet Christmas, but then on Dec. 30 about 3:30 a. m., Donna was making strange noises and she had a tremor of the left hand. We checked her vitals and found her glucose reading was 35. We called 911 and discovered she had a urinary tract infection, had an x-ray which showed the fracture was a little worse, and she was experiencing some gagging on food. She came home on 1 / 4 / 17 and we have her eating small portions of chopped food, chewing well followed by a sip of water each time. We took her off her glucose medication and her sugars have been holding in range. We have changed the way that we roll her from side to side for changing which seems to be better. The doctor states it will take about nine weeks to heal the leg if all goes well. At this time Donna seems to be doing better, her spirits are pretty good and Rick and I are hanging in here hoping that the leg heals soon.

We are not thrilled to hear about all the bad news in recent years, but I guess at our age we all experience some difficulties.

Keep in touch, it’ s later than you think! Above all, be good to each other.

Dick 4W8

Will“ Pills” Eastlack 111 Dock Drive Lansdale, PA 19446-6230 215-362-3278 Pills1949 @ aol. com

12-21-16 Received a letter from Jeff Brown. Here’ s the report from the Browns: Walt Brown’ s oldest great-grandson, Jonathan Dashnaw, graduated from U. S. Army basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., in September. Walt’ s son, Jeff, and his wife, Renate, as well as Jeff and Renate’ s daughter and son-in-law, Sharla and Derek Dashnaw, went to the ceremonies, which Jeff describes as“ pulse-pounding.” Jonathan stayed on at Fort Leonard Wood to complete technical training as a chemical warfare specialist, finishing that on Dec. 13. Jonathan, who is a member of the South Carolina National Guard, returned home and is awaiting orders. He plans to use his military benefits to get his college degree.

Jeff and Renate continue to do well, as do Walt’ s daughters, Lauren and Lisa. His second-eldest son, Ken, who is disabled, has had some medical scares lately, and his doctors are keeping an eye on him. Jeff, who just turned 62, is eyeing retirement. He says he has a lot of projects to work on. Walt’ s widow, Carolyn, continues living in Fredericksburg, Va., and Jeff, Renate, Lauren and Lisa visited her there for the Christmas holidays. All are looking forward to a fruitful 2017.

12-22-16 Received a letter from Howard Fluck: Another year gone by. I trust you have had a good year along with some not so well. I wish you well with your new residence. That will take some adjustment I’ m sure. Very little to offer in the way of news. I’ m enjoying reasonable good health,

so no complaints. Just a few days before Christmas are a busy time with family, etc. Sorry I missed last Alumni Day. I’ ll make a special effort to attend this year. Missed seeing old friends and classmates. Our numbers are getting thin. When driving past the school it still seems strange to see the sign for“ Williamson Collage of the Trades.” Sure has been a lot of progress since we were students. I’ ll close for now with best wishes to all for a blessed Holiday and Happy New Year!

12-24-16 Received a letter from Joe Petree: First, to all my classmates, I wish you a Happy Healthy New Year. Have been busy going to doctors in September and October, but everything is clearing up and doing OK. Went hunting with sons, Steve and Jeff and grandson Joey 16. Everyone got a deer but me. Had to get up 3:30 a. m. to be at my regulated shooting grounds west of Pottstown, but it was nice to go with them and the weather was really good; cold but clear and no wind. We are going with my family to my niece’ s, Marie Bords, for the annual Christmas Eve dinner. When my mother was living she had it, then my sister, and now Marie is doing it. It’ s always nice to have family get together. Everything is about the same. Mary is still doing well and her cancer tests are all clear. I don’ t like the cold weather much, but just dress for it. Stay well and take care everyone. All the best.

12-25-2016 Received a letter from Laura Weaver Silver( Dick Weaver): I came back home from rehab ill on Nov. 16. Still not quite where I want to be physically, but OK, so glad to be home.

Will Eastlack signing off. I have lived here at Dock Woods since Jan. 1, 2016 and I don’ t have any complaints about living here. The food is very good, the people here are very friendly, the employees are friendly and helpful, and there are all kinds of activities. I’ m active in several, such as singing in the choir. We sing here and go to different retirement homes to sing. Active in the Pedal Pushers. During the summer we ride bicycles every week for five miles locally and once a month we usually go to a river trial and ride 10 miles. In summer, I play bocce ball and croquet.

Marjorie Schrenk informed me that Betty DiCola passed away.

Donald W. Zipse Maris Grove Ret. Community 417 Bluebird Crossing Glen Mills, PA 19342-3362 610-358-1462 don. zip @ ieee. org

It was in August 2016 that Jeanette and I had lunch with Bill Fitzgerald, Brick Shop, 23293 Kent Ct.( Angola by the Bay) Lewis, Del., 19958-5242, tele 302-945-8815, at the 1776 Restaurant. I had my favorite dish, Sussex County’ s surf and turf, which is fried oysters and chicken salad. Unfortunately, Bill’ s wife is in a nursing home and Bill is very attentive to his wife’ s needs and visits her every day. We had a very enjoyable luncheon discussing Williamson and his retirement.

10-5-16 Called Joe Cochran to inform them of our forthcoming luncheon and found that he is recovering from a stroke and dropped foot syndrome. Joe has missed the last three or four Class of’ 54 luncheons and will miss the October