Billy Joe Holden, a 95-year-old veteran, celebrates a long-awaited high school graduation in Kansas
Argonia: So, there’s this incredible story about a 95-year-old guy named Billy Joe Holden. He’s from Kansas and just got his high school diploma after all these years. Can you believe it? He’s living proof that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams.
Billy’s journey started way back in 1929 in Oklahoma. Life threw him some tough cards early on. His mom passed away when he was just six, and his family fell apart. It was a rough time, especially during the Great Depression.
His son, Randy, shared how hard things were back then. They were super poor, living on a farm, and Billy had to fend for himself pretty early. He even ended up homeless as a teenager, which he says was a real eye-opener.
But here’s the kicker: Billy enlisted in the military before he even turned 16! He had to lie about his age to join the Marine Corps. Can you imagine? He went through all the tests and ended up serving for about two years, even before he hit 18.
After his service, he bounced around different jobs, always trying to make a better life. He taught himself math to land a job at Boeing, where he worked for around 30 years. Randy admires his dad for how he learned everything the hard way, and it’s clear he’s a tough cookie.
Now, Billy lives in a home he always dreamed of. He saved up for it, living frugally and working hard. When he finally got the land, it felt like a dream come true for him and his family. They were overjoyed to have their own little slice of paradise.
His motto, “First we work, then we play,” really sums up his life. It’s even on his gravestone for when the time comes. The Marine Corps helped him find his way, and now, at 95, he’s finally got that diploma through a special program for veterans. The American Legion brought it to him, and it’s a beautiful moment for him and his family.
