THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 15, 1994 TAG: 9406140121
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Medium
DATELINE: 940615 LENGTH:
It's his livelihood.
{REST} He's an artist, and his ``castle'' is an 8-foot-tall permanent sand-casting sculpture complete with towers, turrets and parapets. Found at 36th Street at the Boardwalk, it's one of the newest additions to the Atlantic Avenue beautification project, now in its final phases.
Art is a way of life for this tall, lanky California native, and now he's making his mark on the East Coast.
Full name: Bill Grainger.
Hometown: Redlands, Calif.
What brought you to the Beach? $500 and a 1977 Cherokee.
Birthdate: Aug. 25, 1948.
Occupation: Self-employed with Cast Stone Inc.
Nickname: None.
Marital status: Happily married to a wonderful woman - Mona.
Children: Morgan, 10, and Tyler, 9.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Hunting in the woods with my son, friends and my dog Sunny.
Last smart thing you did: Downsized to a one-man operation.
Last dumb thing you did: Having too many employees.
Favorite meal: Maine lobster and cold beer.
Favorite movies: ``Dances With Wolves.''
Favorite song: ``Migration'' by Jimmy Buffett.
Last book read: ``Alaska.''
Hobbies: Hunting, surfing, camping.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? A bigger mustache.
Secret vice: Red licorice.
Favorite restaurant: Steinhilber's
Your favorite night on the town: Thalia friends and neighbors getting together to party.
Favorite TV shows: Weather Channel - no time for TV.
Favorite sport: Football.
Last vacation: Home to California to visit family and old friends.
Pets: Two golden retrievers, Rainbow and Sunny.
Worst job: Laying asphalt in Southern California.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Oceanfront sculptures and numerous architectural pre-casts throughout Hampton Roads.
What would you like on your epitaph? ``A quitter never wins and a winner never quits.''
{KEYWORDS} PROFILE
by CNB