Social - September 2003

The Yoders

Crafty Couple

By AMY WADSWORTH, Staff Writer

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CROUSE — Wilhelmina and Bill Yoder didn’t have to look far to find love.

At the tender age of nine, the two met and knew from that moment on they were meant to be together.

“I knew she was the one,” Bill Yoder said. “And I still have her.”

The couple grew up in Crouse. Bill, originally from Lincolnton, moved to Crouse when he was nine. Wilhelmina moved from South Carolina at the age of two to live in Crouse with adoptive parents. Wilhelmina’s parents used to sell milk and butter and Bill would come over to get it for his family.

“I think he used to come over just to see me,” Wilhelmina said. “And also because I had a bicycle and he didn’t.”

The couple are high school sweethearts from Lincolnton High School and by the age of 19 were married.

“For awhile we dated other people,” Wilhelmina said. “But we always ended up coming back to one another.”

The couple has been married 56 years and has two daughters, Renee and Anne Marie. They have five grandchildren — three who are adopted.

Beth, 18, and Graham, 15, were adopted from Korea by Renee.

“She always wanted to adopt children; it might be because her mother is adopted,” Bill said. “It took two years to get the two children through an agency.”

Most of the furniture in their living room was made by Bill. As you walk through the house, especially in the dining room, more of his talents cover the room.

 “My father used to work at Cochrane Furniture Company,” Bill said. “I learned from watching him.”

Bill has expanded his talent to houses — birdhouses. His craft covers the backyard. One of the birdhouses even has miniature furniture for its small inhabitants

Bill retired 11 years ago after working 17 years with Lincoln County Schools in maintenance and 28 years at the Rhodes Rhyne Cotton Mill. Since his retirement he has been constructing bird houses.

“He has probably made 500 bird houses,” Wilhelmina said. “And he gives most of them away.”

Bill said it does not take him long to construct the small structures.

“I can make a birdhouse in 30 minutes,” he said. “It takes 48 pieces.”

His task is not complete upon constructing. It’s time to decorate.

Birdhouses of different colors cover “Bill’s Shop” where he makes his specialties.

“He loves it,” Wilhelmina said. “I help paint them sometimes.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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