Willie James Patrick of Andalusia celebrated his 90th birthday on Saturday, July 6.

Family and friends gathered at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Lockhart to surprise him.

“Walking Willie,” as he is affectionately known, can be found on his daily walks throughout the streets of Andalusia. His daily walks are considered a major contributing factor to his continuing good health.

Patrick was born in Andalusia in 1923, and continues to make Andalusia his home. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. During his two-year, eight-month and 21-day military duty, he served in England, France and the Philippine Islands.

On June 5, 1948, Patrick and Trudie Florence were united in holy matrimony. The couple was blessed with two children, the late Roger Patrick and the late Maxine Patrick Dozier. Patrick is the proud grandfather of four grandchildren, six great- grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren who live in the Atlanta area.

On Feb. 5, 1998, four months prior to their 50th wedding anniversary, Mrs. Patrick passed away.

During Patrick’s working years in Andalusia, he worked for Mr. John S. Mann Sr., at Mann Cleaners; Payton-Hodge Lumber Company; Andalusia Manufacturing Company; and Mr. Charles Dixon at Dixon Yellow Pine Lumber Company. However, he spent most of his career with the City of Andalusia – working from March 1959 until his retirement in September of 1985.

During his years of service with the city, he served under the administration of the following six mayors – Bill Badwin, Chalmers Bryant, Howard Ham, Ben Williams, Benny Barrow and Paul Armstrong – and the following city clerks, Mrs. H. H. Ellis, Alfred Adams and Roland Carter.