USMC Artillery as Gunnery Sergeant

Meteorologist, part of the twenty years he spent

In Lebanon, and Desert Storm, places that seemed like hell

Please read my notes for interesting info for detail



When he retired from the Marines, his college would be next

An English/History teacher, his title and subjects 

He taught for fifteen years and retired Two Thousand Eighteen 

Surprised he stayed that long, for all the things he's lived and seen



And Bill was married once before, has a son, Christopher 

He married and they gave Bill a grandson and granddaughter

And he is Braden, who is a computer engineer 

While Megan will be graduating from high school this year



Bill married Kathy, who's a Music/English teaching wife 

Son, Adam, taught Biology/English ~ Bachelor life

And daughter, Katie, also teaches, both Spanish and Math  

Bet grandkids, Liam, Emily and Kim follow same path



Now Kathy is a fierce Detroit Tigers and Lions Fan

Besides her love for Bill, also her dad was quite the man

His name, LaVern Alward was drafted twice in "44" 

Once for the Detroit, Tigers and the army for the war



And Kathy's brother, Tom's life was exciting as it gets

In "70s" he played Pro-ball for Buccaneers and Jets

Both Bill and Kathy retired early; look at their life, wow!

And she's had some big health issues, we hope you're better now



We'd like to throw a party, Bill; your birthday's a good cause

But you, your teaching family, your service and in-laws

And how you crack us up in your writing or a review

The greatest sense of humor,  fun for a good laugh or two



It's hard to find one theme to use, it's causing me some strife

So we'll wish an Amazing Birthday, Bill, to match your life.