Abrahamson's 80th Birthday Celebrated

No, he's not "Whispering Bill Anderson," he's "Soft Spoken Bill Abrahamson." We are both glad and fortunate to have him living in our community. This quiet man of few words, who is not only talented, he is now celebrating his 80th revolution around the sun.

Friends and family gathered at the monthly Jam Session at the VFW to celebrate the milestone with him. Maria Anderson provided the cake decorated with, of course, a guitar. Since she was unable to attend due to her schedule she left the hostess tasks in the helping hands of Willard Abrahamson, Lori Nivens and Erna Schlieve. The crowd sang birthday wishes to him and also sang again for Penny Mackay and for Aime Tremblay, who also celebrated birthdays this week.

Born in Malta, he spent years at the old Bowdoin School, then Malta and then moved to Ogden, Utah where his mom remarried. Bill graduated from Malta High School and spent time in the Army.

He married Margaret Ann Moore and they had one daughter, Maria Abrahamson Anderson. Margaret passed away and Maria is an RN in Glasgow.

Bill started his picking and shy and quiet grinning when he was ten years old. He plays at the monthly Jam Sessions and does music for funerals. He worked as a farm hand and also does upholstery work.

With a love for country music he spends quiet time listening to bluegrass music when he isn't tinkering or repairing things. He can still remember when shaking and rolling meant more than getting out of bed. He is not quite as gung-ho on things as is Chuck Norris, who is also 80. When he was born, the annual wage was $1,700, gas was at $0.18 and the minimum wage was thirty cents an hour.

Even at the wages, one would not find Bill looking for a program or some way to avoid work. He's one of 'the good old boys" who keeps getting better. Happy birthday, friend.