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Dear Leyton, 
Your grandpa would have been 64 today.  Four years ago, we threw him a surprise party for his 60th birthday.  Gramma worked SO HARD on that party, to make sure it was a surprise and to get everyone together and to make it fun.  

We sent out invites, and decorated the gym - in those days, Gramma & Grandpa went to Westside Assembly of God, which was really close to their house.  Your daddy & I helped decorate, putting little scenes together on the tables.  We had picture books and stuff laid out on other tables for ppl to look at, too.  


I don't think we could have imagined how much God would bless us with this party.  Lots of ppl came to celebrate your grandpa.  He was well-loved because he loved everyone, and showed it.  He's been my inspiration, and is why I work so hard to make sure you grow up loving ppl.  Of course - you are naturally a W, outgoing and friendly, and you never meet a stranger!  I love seeing that in you.  


Anyway, back to the party.  There were presents and cake, of course, and we had a luncheon as well.  I'm looking for the pictures... 

Anthony helped create the golf islands for the tables.  : ) 

They turned out realllllly neat!  

Lots of ties!  Heh. 

And, this guy may look familiar... 

"Happy happy birthday - from the Birthday King!"

After the party, Grandpa set his balloons free back into the wild.  *laugh*

It was a marvelous celebration and I hope you enjoy the pictures.  We had a lot of fun, and Grandpa WAS surprised (well, at least until the day of the party - Great Unlce Frank & Aunt Dorothy sort of tipped him off to the party right before he walked in, because they were lost!  Whoops! *grin*)!  

Love you lots, 

Aunt Carrie 

Introduction

Hi, Leyton!  This is Aunt Carrie.  I'm writing this book for you about Grandpa W, to give you a glimpse into his life.  I gathered these pictures and stories from your great aunts & uncles, from Grandpa's friends, Great Grammy Cheek, Daddy and Grandma W.  And of course, some of them are from me!


Grandpa's full name was William Fred, which you know because one of your middle names is William, after him.  He went by the nickname of Bill.  He was born to LaVern & Arlene on August 28, 1946, and was one of ten children.  Yes, you heard correctly, Grandpa had NINE brothers & sisters - you know them as Great Uncles John, Jim and Rick, and Great Aunts Nancy, Vicki, Patti, Judy, Sharon, and Sandy.  Aunt Vicki has a grandson who you sometimes play with at family functions, named Nathan.  He's a bit younger than you are, but you seem to get along!  


When Mommy and Daddy got married, Grandpa was there to celebrate.  He didn't get a chance to meet you, but he knew you were on the way.  He loved you SO MUCH when you were in your mommy's tummy.  He was excited to have another grandson, and one he could play with as a baby.  He didn't get to meet Anthony until he was a little older!  : )  


I hope you'll enjoy this story about Grandpa.  And of course it will be about the rest of this side of the family as well.  Unfortunately there won't be a lot of pictures of your mom in this book, but that is only because she almost never let me take any!  She sometimes likes to pretend she's camera shy, your mommy.  ; )  There will be a LOT of pictures of Grandpa, Grandma, Daddy, Anthony, Aunt Carrie and the rest of that lot, though!  


"Enough about that, Aunt Carrie!  Let's get to the stories!"  


As you wish, young Leyton.  As you wish!