DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / February 16, 2000

Those who drive through Convent in the morning know there is always someone waiting for them. Just as you swing around the last turn beforeConvent, heading west on Louisiana Highway 44, he comes into view.

Willie Shorty stands on the side of the road waiting for his bus and waving at all who pass. He’s got a broad smile with teeth that shine almost as brightlyas his eyes.

His many wrinkles, counting the good-natured grins that seem solid as a feature rather than an expression, give some indication to his age. But hisgrip is strong and his stance sure as he maintains his watch on the side of the road. “I’m Willie Shorty, 82 years old and I feel so good,” his voice rollsout like a river of molasses, thick and deep.

Willie, born and raised in Romeville, worked for Bethlehem and Kaiser Steel for 56 years. After being caught in an explosion he was feared never to walkagain. The company got him “the best doctors they could get,” said Willie.After spending time in the hospital, Willie said it didn’t take long to recover.

“The day after I took my medicine, I lay down my crutches and got to my feet. I was walkin’ and everybody was surprised. I’m all right now and I thankGod every time I get the chance,” he says.

Now whenever he goes to the hospital he pays a visit to his old doctor, walking into his office to see how he’s doing. His steps are a thank you to hisdoctor and a reminder of his own faith in God.

“I’m a righteous man, never drank, never smoked and the Lord’s blessed me,” said Willie. After outliving five ” beautiful and wonderful wives,” Williecontinues on after God, “the Lord said ‘I’ll lead you, you follow along,” says Willie.

All his life his been focused on his children.

“I’ve been walkin’ before my children. I tell them, ‘watch daddy lead youbefore God,” says Willie. He’s made that his task in life, doing the best hecan to serve as an example to his family. “All I’m livin’ is for my children.”About nine months ago, after his last wife died in California, Willie moved back south, back to his home parish to live. He left the home for his wife’schildren. Now he stays across the street from his daughter, Mardi, and son-in-law Jessie Williams.

Every morning he waits for the St. James bus to take him to the RomevilleSenior Center in Convent where “I can still put my hands to work.”But before nine o’clock, if your headed along the River Road, you’ll find him, whether it’s in the rain, sun or cold wind, you’ll find him.

” I was wearing two coats last week, but I was still here,” says Willie.

Everyone in Convent seems to be familiar with Willie.

“Every time I drive by and see him, he just makes my day,” says Pam Reynaud of Convent. The mail carrier stopped one day to give him an extraumbrella, Willie says, his grin stretching even farther across his face.

When asked why he likes standing out beside the road every morning, Willie replies, “I’ve been waving all my life. People come with a grouchy feeling andyou wave, and they go away with something else.”Willie does pass on something contagious. People are waving back, honkingtheir horns and hollering hello every morning as they pass. It’s hard not toslip into a big grin as soon as you turn that corner into Convent and see him on down the road.

So next time your day is not so bright, and everything reminds you of something that’s going wrong, head on down that old River Road.

“It’s a sweet life I’m livin’,” Willie will tell you, and if you like he’ll lead you to how he got there.

Either way, by the time you’re on the other side of Convent you’ll feel a little more at ease, and your mind will find more to smile at, so is the natural effect of Willie Shorty.

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