In 1947, Bill Thomas and his pal, Perry, drove to New York to see the sights.
Bill’s mother had given him the information about her aunt in New York.
At first, Bill was reluctant to call the aunt but he did; and she invited him to come to her home. There, also visiting from North Carolina, was Soula, a petite, beautiful brunette.
The couple had three dates, and each left to go homeward.
Bill and Perry drove to California, saw the sights in Hollywood; went broke and had to stay. As the next three years passed, Bill and Soula corresponded occasionally. Just before Christmas in 1948, Bill phoned Soula and asked, “Hi, would you like some company for Christmas?” Soula said, “Yes,” but she doubted if Bill would make the flight. On Christmas Eve, Bill proposed, “Let’s get married or something.”
Soula responded, “We’ll get married or nothing.”
Bill flew back to California, contacted a manufacturing jeweler and ordered an engagement ring. He mailed it to Soula. Meanwhile Bill bought an unbuilt, three-bedroom house in Lakewood on the G.I. Bill. The newly-married couple moved in after the house was finally built. After growing three children in Lakewood for ten years, the family moved to Rossmoor.
The kids have all grown and become parents and homeowners themselves.
Bill and Soula have lived in the Rossmoor home for 51 years, and now into their 61st year of a happy marriage.
