THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 1, 1995 TAG: 9412300201
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
SOURCE: Jody Snider
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
SUFFOLK
OCT. 20, 1980: Gary Willoughby is working as a gas station attendant in Suffolk when two men come in to buy cigarettes.
As Willoughby is reaching for the cigarettes, one of the men pulls out a handgun and tells Willoughby to give him all his money or he'll shoot.
Willoughby gives the man about $200 in cash, but the man shoots him in the chest anyway. Willoughby later said he learned that the man shot him because he thought he had more money somewhere else in the store that he hadn't given him.
That was 14 years ago.
Today, Willoughby has overcome his trauma and is working as a people-greeter at the Wal-Mart discount department store.
Willoughby, 42, started working for Wal-Mart about a year ago, dressed as Santa. Last year, when the store manager saw how Willoughby loved to talk to people, Willoughby was offered the job of a greeter.
But when Willoughby isn't greeting people, he's clowning around as ``Happy the Clown.'' He's been clowning for about five years, working children's birthday parties and local parades.
``I love children and I like to see them smile and make them laugh,'' he says.
Name: Gary L. Willoughby.
What brought you to Suffolk? Suffolk native.
Birthdate: March 28, 1952
Occupation: People-greeter at Wal-Mart in Suffolk.
Marital status: Single
Favorite movies: ``The Sound of Music,'' ``Gone With the Wind,'' ``ET,'' ``Star Wars'' and ``Raiders of the Lost Ark.''
Favorite magazines: People and TV Guide
A book you wish everyone would read: The Bible. It's God's word, and it tells us how we should live.
Favorite night out on the town: Fridays - eating out and going to the movies with friends.
Favorite bar or restaurant: The Olive Garden and China Coast.
Favorite food and drink: Spaghetti, chicken chow mein, Coke, iced tea and lemonade.
Few people know . . . that I am a professional clown and Santa Claus.
What's the best thing about yourself? My desire to bring happiness into children's lives.
Worst habit: Picking my fingernails.
First thing in the morning: Eat breakfast and drink a cup of coffee.
Pets: None
Hobbies: Clowning, music, movies and TV
Ideal vacation: A week at Nags Head.
Pet peeve: People who don't speak to you when you speak to them.
First job: Newspaper carrier boy for the Suffolk News-Herald.
Worst job: Working for the Water Department as a pump operator.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Overcoming my tragic accident when I was shot while working as a gas station attendant in Suffolk - and being able to work again.
What would you like on your epitaph? ``If at first you don't succeed, keep trying.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Gary Willoughby
by CNB