You Know Willie - from Me

Willie DelGranno died today; he was 82 or there abouts. You know willie.

Willie died a poor man; in some respects. He lived a rich man; in some respects. For much of the latter part of his life he lived in a one room "house" with no indoor plumbing. The landlady at the pub accross the road used to let him clean up in the toilet. He didn't have many clothes and the one coat he wore had always seen better days. He always wore a shirt and tie under that coat though. And he always wore a smile. You know Willie.

Willie was always quick with a wee joke or story to tell to any who would listen. Fortunately, in the small villiage of Marykirk, most took the time to listen to "ole Willie". And for the princely sum of a nip or a pint he would tell you a whole lot more. You Know Willie.

Willie didn't have a job and some would say not much of a life. He did odd jobs for all that didn't have time for them or, as in many cases, it was a way to give Willie a little something without hurting his pride. He chopped wood, carried coal and other "I'll get around to it" jobs. You Know Willie.

A few years ago Willie finally got a "council house". A new one - complete with all the trimmings - central heat, double glazing and more. It took so long to get him the house because Willie refused to leave Marykirk and his "family". Willie wasn't happy wih the new house because it wasn't "his house". Besides he hadn't paid for it; despite a lifetime of paying into the "system". You Know Willie.

He wasn't an educated man. He didn't have any degrees or letters after his name. He wasn't a professional man. He wasn't a crook, a thief or evil doer either. Willie was a good man, smoked his cigarettes, drank his nips and paid his taxes; a fine upstanding citizen. You Know Willie.

So, the next time you go into your local pub, look around for Willie. You will probably see him pearched upon his usual seat of wisdom. Buy him a nip or a pint and give him the little "round to it" job you've been putting off. You won't hurt his pride that way. You Know Willie.

I knew Willie. Rest in peace my friend.