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