By Staff
Woodrow Pettis plans to retire at Bon Secour River
By MaryClaire Foster
(This week The Atmore Advance visited with 68-year-old Woodrow Pettis, while taking a coffee break at Buster’s Restaurant.)
Q: Where are you from and when were you born?
A: Orange Grove, Miss. July 26, 1940.
Q: Are you married? What’s your spouse’s name?
A: Yes, Shirley Pettis.
Q: How did you meet?
A: We went to school together for 12 years and grew up in the same neighborhood. She was on one side, and I was on the other.
Q: Do you have children? Any grandchildren?
A: I have four children, Lana Sue Loring, John Lee Pettis, Dana Marie Freeman and Roger Wilson Pettis. I have four grandchildren.
Q: What do you do for a living?
A: I’m self-employed as a dental technician.
Q: How did you end up in your profession? What do you like about your job?
A: I had an uncle in it and he trained me. It keeps me busy, and I get along with the boss.
Q: How did you end up in Atmore?
A: The technician here passed away and his wife was selling the business, and I bought it.
Q: Where have you traveled to?
A: Tennessee, Georgia and Kentucky. I’ve been fishing in Mexico.
Q: What was your best vacation?
A: Going to the mountains with the family.
Q: Where do you want to go, but have never been?
A: Washington D.C. and the East Coast. That’s probably the first place we’ll go when we retire.
Q: Who do you think has been the best president in your lifetime? Why?
A: Ronald Reagan. He got along well with Congress and was a good leader and speaker. He brought down interest rates and helped tear down the Wall.
Q: What is a historical moment from your lifetime that stands out to you?
A: The bringing down of Communism, beginning with the Wall.
Q: What’s one of the happiest times in your life?
A: When I got married and had kids.
Q: What is one of your proudest achievements?
A: Being self-employed and being able to run my own business.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: Fishing, and I hunt a little.
Q: What is the biggest fish you’ve ever caught? Where do you like to go fishing?
A: An 80-pound Tuna. Bon Secour River mostly and the Mobile Bay.
Q: What’s the next big step in your life?
A: Moving to Foley. I own a place on the Bon Secour. It’s for retirement.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: “The Bridge On the River Kwai.”
Q: What is your favorite thing to read?
A: The Bible and the newspaper. I used to read a lot of westerns.
(If you would like to recommend a senior to be spotlighted please contact the Atmore Advance at 368-2123 or e-mail us at newsroom@atmoreadvance.com).