These are my paternal grandparents, Bill and Marie Walls. Grandpa was a real Cowboy - he was a ranch foreman in southern Arizona. He was also reported to be an Olympic-quality athlete and unofficially broke a world record in the triple jump (called the Hop, Skip, and Jump at that time). When I was a teenager there was a man who wanted to write a book about Grandpa; the book was partially written and then my grandmother took exception to some of the content, decided it was a bad idea, and wouldn't let him finish it. I don't really remember Grandpa Bill as he died when I was 3 or 4. I've heard so many stories that I wish I had been able to get to know him in person.
Grandma Marie lived to meet her Great Grandchildren (Catherine, Robert, and Natalie). She was a strong woman who did many jobs in order for her family to survive. She drove a school bus, was the ranch cook, was a school janitor, and many others. When Grandpa Bill died, she had two adult sons (my Dad and Uncle Billy) and a young son (Uncle Jack, who was about 8 or 9, I think) still at home. She had a wicked, caustic, and sarcastic sense of humor that I enjoyed, was very opinionated and didn't hesitate to share her opinions, and had no problem letting you know if you disappointed her in any way.
Bill and Marie lived a life with which most of us are unfamiliar; a life that was simple in many ways and very hard in other ways. They raised 3 boys who grew to be responsible, honorable men. They left a legacy.
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