A not so local man hung up his arc welder and retired from WW Trailers in Madill. Billy Lambert has worked for WW Trailers for 48 years. That is almost a lifetime. Lambert began working at the business shortly after they opened their doors — they opened in 1960, Lambert started as a helper in 1971.
He said an upgrade in the company helped him climb the proverbial ladder. “I helped put in the first assembly line in this place. That’s when I started welding.”
The length of time at the company is not the only surprising thing about Lambert, also how he gets to work. For almost 50 years, Lambert has been driving 38 miles, one way to get to work. That means he has driven almost 100,000 miles to get to work.
He said he remembers when his current boss was just a child. Lambert was able to watch his boss grow up, and thinks that might be part of the good connection they have.
Lambert said a few of his coworkers joked and asked why not wait two more years. He said he was fine cutting out two years shy of his golden anniversary, he is ready to retire. “I plan on sitting around and resting,” he said. He also plans on fishing with his grandson and spending time with family.
Like most retirees, his time will not be strictly resting and fishing. “My wife bought me a welder for the house.” He said she wondered why he was not tired of welding after doing it for so many years. It is pretty much a part of him.
On June 28, WW Trailers held a retirement party for him to celebrate his retirement and his dedication to the company.