ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 25, 1997 TAG: 9701270039
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
EUGENE WILLIAMSON had to quit his job as a school crossing guard last month because a cataract operation left him unable to drive.
At 91, Eugene Williamson doesn't quit easily.
He retired last month as a crossing guard at Round Hill Primary School in Roanoke, but only because he had a cataract operation and could no longer drive his car to the school on Oakland Boulevard Northwest.
But his sight is getting better now, and he hopes to be driving again soon. He got his license renewed last summer, and it's valid until 2001.
"I can see good now, but I can't read fine print," he said. "I'm hoping it will improve."
Williamson still comes to the school at 8 each morning with his daughter, Peggy Stump, who took over the job for him. They return in the afternoons for an hour when school is dismissed.
"I told her that I'd come over here with her every day until the weather gets warmer," he said. "Then I'll probably go back to walking."
Williamson, who said he has worked since he was 12, became a crossing guard at 83.
As a young man, he worked at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant before becoming a carpet installer. After putting down carpet in homes in the Roanoke Valley for more than two decades, he retired when he was in his late 60s.
But he didn't stay retired long.
He began driving a bus for Roanoke Agencies Dial-A-Ride, a transportation system for social service agencies.
"When I got to be 75, the insurance company wanted to double the premium for RADAR, " he said. "I told them I would just quit and give it to a younger man so they wouldn't have to pay so much for insurance."
Williamson soon tired of loafing. When he spotted a newspaper advertisement for a crossing guard, he decided to apply, despite being in his 80s.
"They said they couldn't keep anyone in the job because people would quit after a week or so, or they wouldn't show up some days," he said. "They decided to give it to me."
Williamson didn't quit. He stayed eight years.
"Except for a couple of minor illnesses, he's been at work every day," said Jim Tyree, supervisor of operations and security for city schools. "He's always on the job, always dependable. I couldn't have asked for a better employee.''
Justin Kesler, a second-grader, said he looks forward to seeing Williamson each day. "He's kind of like a friend."
Many Round Hill children call him grandpa.
Williamson liked the job - even on cold and windy mornings.
But he didn't like the speeding motorists on Oakland Boulevard.
"Some cars fly up and down the street," he said. "Some go by as fast as 25 to 50 miles an hour."
City police periodically set up radar near the school and catch speeders, he said.
Williamson, who was born in 1906 and grew up in the Melrose neighborhood, has outlived his four brothers and three sisters. His father, who worked for the Norfolk and Western Railway for 52 years, lived to be 83.
"I don't know why the good Lord is leaving me around," he said. "He must have something in mind for me. I'm the last one in my family still living."
Williamson has attended Melrose Baptist Church for more than 50 years.
"He would take us to church when we were children," said Peggy, his daughter. "He's always been the one who has done things for us."
Williamson has two other children, Donnie Williamson and Nancy Thompson. His wife died about five years ago. He lives with Peggy, a retired federal employee.
Williamson can recall when Campbell Avenue in downtown Roanoke was a graveled road with street cars running in the middle.
"I can remember when you could go to the movies for 15 cents. We called them `shooting galleries''' he said.
He said Williamson Road is named for an ancestor who once owned land in the neighborhood.
Williamson said walking has helped him keep up his energy in recent years. Last summer, he walked almost daily with Peggy.
Looking up at the sloping hill at Round Hill school, Williamson said he's almost tempted to try to run up it sometimes.
"I feel like I could do it," he said. "I believe I could."
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: CINDY PINKSTON STAFF. Eugene Williamson, 91, was theby CNBcrossing guard at Round Hill School for years. Now his daughter
Peggy has taken over. color.