Bill Cox, my 95 year old apprentice, and very dear friend, is an amazing man – a walking history book. He can tell stories about his experience growing up in the depression, about his grandfather who fought in the civil war, about his experience in the Navy during World War II & the Korean War, and being on “clean-up” crew at Bikini Attol when the nuclear test bombs were set off, and so much more. I would love to be able to have a recorder when he has a glass of wine and starts to tell stories. His mind is like s steel trap and can remember exact details and dates. He still lives alone and is very independent.
I often joke with people that since he started his woodcarving apprenticeship when he was 89 years old, he should be finished by next year – at 96 – if we follow the European apprenticeship program of 7 years. Then he has another 7 years to be a journeyman, and then – finally – by the time he is 103, he can go out into the world and work as a woodcarver.
Recently, I gave him a challenge to carve a ball and claw foot with a free moving ball. He dove right into it and carved several of them and the photographs show the final finished piece. It really is amazing, and when I bring it as a prop when I give a talk or demonstrate how to carve the ball and claw foot, I catch people looking at it with a puzzled look, turning it over, spinning the ball, and I just have to chuckle.
I just started trying to learn to woodcarve and didn’t want to get to excited about it at my age of 67. This has given me a new outlook. Heck I will have almost 30 years under my belt by the time I am Bill’s age. I enjoyed your show with Roy and may even try to get to Pittsboro to take a class. Thanks to Bill for new inspiration.
John Brinson from WV but born in Greenville.
We love Bill and find his spirit and positive attitude to be enriching and we hope to be as good looking and fun as he is some day.