THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 22, 1996 TAG: 9605210147
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
LENGTH: 65 lines
IF THERE IS a common theme in the life of this 68-year-old retired fertilizer salesman, it's his deep love and appreciation for the millions of veterans who will be honored this Memorial Day.
``I think it came from my father, who was a Navy pilot in World War I,'' said Bill Myers, past chairman of the Mayor's Veterans Committee. Myers grew up on 25th Street and remembers clearly how close World War II came to American shores, having seen American freighters sunk by German U-boats in the early months of the war.
Like many veterans, Myers is a little uncertain about how deep the appreciation is among those citizens who never served. ``Memorial Day looks more like a day for retail sales than for remembering the servicemen,'' he said.
To ratchet up the interest level, Myers said the veteran's groups will visit schools to instruct students who don't know the difference between the Axis Powers and the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
``We're doing everything we can,'' he said. ``We'd like them to appreciate a little more the things veterans have done for them.''
Full name: William L. Myers Sr.
Hometown: Virginia Beach.
What brought you to the Beach? Parents.
Birthdate: May 25, 1927.
Occupation: Retired district manager, Duval Sales Corp., a division of The Pennzoil Co.
Marital status: Married to Alice for almost 46 years.
Children: William L. Myers Jr., Margaret Sullivan.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Fishing from my boat, the Al-B-Mar and catching a citation speckled trout.
Last smart thing you did: Helped organize the group that planned and built the Tidewater Veterans Memorial.
Last dumb thing you did: When our committee and I thought it would be easy to raise $500,000 to build the memorial.
Favorite meal: Veal parmesan with pasta and a Caesar salad.
Favorite movies: ``The Sands of Iwo Jima,'' ``Eight O'Clock High.''
Favorite song: ``Star Dust.''
Last book read: ``The Fall of Japan.''
Hobbies: Boating, fishing, tennis, camping and bike riding.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Be more patient.
If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? Nothing.
Secret vice: Ice cream.
Favorite restaurant: Isle of Capri.
Your favorite night on the town: Dinner with friends and a movie.
Favorite TV shows: ``60 Minutes,'' and most anything on the Discovery Channel and the A&E network.
Favorite sport: Tennis and fishing.
Last vacation: Naples, Fla.
Worst job: Mixing cement at a Norfolk plant.
Of what achievements are you most proud? My involvement with the Tidewater Veterans Memorial, past chairmanship of the Mayor's Veterans Committee, my work with Virginia Beach Crime Solvers, my service in the old Army Air Force in the closing months of World War II and, later, the United States Air Force during the Korean War.
What would you like as your epitaph? Gone fishing. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT by CNB