Bill John Givens

"Bill John"

We did not call him William, William T., William Givens, nor Mr. Givens. My generation was a little younger than William T. Givens and we all called him "Bill John". By the time that we were Juniors and Seniors in high school, Bill John had gone to war and had returned to Ohio County as a hero. He had married Betty Hopper and started a family. Bill John was always on the move and he would end up in Rockport quite often. We looked up to him and if he was in the area, you can bet that he had a crowd around him and he was probably in charge of the conversation. A young teen in Rockport learned in early life when to listen and when to be part of the conversation and we all enjoyed listening to Bill John. I will not say that he stretched the truth some, but he did catch some big fish. And some of the jokes he would tell kept us laughing and enjoying the time spent with him. Actually a lot of the jokes were on him or about him and I suspect that most were true. He knew all of us and treated us like he wanted to be treated. I miss that character.

William Thomas Givens was born May 3, 1928 in the Echols community where he was raised. This large family consisted of seven boys and three girls. For the most part, the children attended either Pink Hall or No. 19 Schools. William T. attended both of the schools. The two youngest boys went to and graduated from Rockport High School.

World War II was winding down in 1946 when William, "Bill John" entered the Army. With minimal basic training, he was sent to Japan on the transport ship, USS Admiral E. W. Eberle. After his term of two years, Bill John was released from the Army, given an honorable discharge and sent back to Echols.

After World War II ended in 1945, the United States was trying to return to normal, when on June 25, 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea. With the United States being involved in the Korean War, Bill John reenlisted and was sent to Korea for two years. After service of two years in Korea, Bill John had decided to make the Army his career choice and he reenlisted again and was sent to Europe where he served three years in Italy. Then to Okinawa for two years. Over his service years, Bill John served in several other countries in Europe as well as a few places in the United States. One of Bill John's biggest honors was being selected to serve as a guard for Richard M. Nixon's swearing-in ceremonies on January 20, 1969 in Washington D. C. Later that same year and after 21 plus years of service, Bill John retired on October 9, 1969 as a Staff Sergeant of the Army. Great job Mr. William Thomas Givens and thanks for your many years of service to our country.

To serve one's country for one term is a privilege and the veteran should be appreciated. To make a career of the Armed Forces and serve for 21 years during the time span of three wars is a dedication to our country that very few can achieve. Bill John's remembrance accolades deserves more than I can expound upon. Just a "Thank You Soldier For A Job Well Done" is not near enough. This country not only owes Bill John a big "Thank You", but one for all of his brothers. His six brothers, Robert, Jim, "Fat", "Toots", "Doody", and Bobby served in the Armed Forces. A big thanks to this Givens family.

When his military career was over, Bill John returned to Ohio County and settled in for a retirement life. After working for several companies and in 1975 Bill John was offered a job with Peabody Coal Company, Alston 4 mines as an underground miner. He spent his mine working career with Peabody, although he worked at different mines. On March 27, 2004 Bill John Givens died at age of 75. I think that he is buried at Echols in the Echols Cemetery.

Thanks for looking.
jerry