LAFAYETTE, La. (NEWS 15) \u2014 A World War II and Korean War veteran in Lafayette celebrated his 99th birthday, surrounded by friends and community members who gathered to honor his service and his life.<\/p>\n
Bill Laird, one of the few remaining veterans of “The Greatest Generation,” was feted with a birthday party thrown by Laurie Cauthern, floral director at the nearby Rouse’s grocery store \u2014 a place Laird visits almost every day.<\/p>\n
Born in Lincoln County, Mississippi, in 1927, Laird grew up as one of three boys in a single-parent home raised by his mother.<\/p>\n
“She had to really work to make a living for us, try to keep us supplied,” he said.<\/p>\n
He described her simply: “She was a great woman.”<\/p>\n
Laird also recalled the influence of his grandfather, who took him fishing in a Mississippi creek and offered lessons that stayed with him.<\/p>\n
“Bug would be in the water, and he’d take his pole, reach down and get that, let the bug crawl on his pole. He said that bug’s life is just as important to him as yours is to you,” he noted.<\/p>\n
Heart of Acadiana is sponsored by Service Chevrolet Cadillac. <\/p>\n
Laird served in the U.S. Navy at the tail end of World War II and again nearly a decade later during the Korean War.<\/p>\n
“We took it very serious back then because we seen what was going on. We seen friends that been lost and stuff, so,” he stated.<\/p>\n
When asked what he did right to make it to 99, Laird credited a higher power.<\/p>\n
“Well, I guess the good Lord kinda took care of me, because I was in several jams and I come out of them, and I’ve never had a broken bone. I had somebody looking after me to make it this far,” he explained.<\/p>\n
Laird was married to his wife, Carolyn, for more than 50 years. She passed away in 2025. When asked how he convinced her to marry him, Laird smiled.<\/p>\n
“Well, I guess she got a weak spell or something when we was up on vacation,” he recalled.<\/p>\n
At 99, Laird still drives, mows his own yard, and makes an almost daily trip to Rouse’s. Cauthern organized the morning birthday party on Tuesday, July 28, for her regular customer.<\/p>\n
“He’s just an inspiration \u2014 a total inspiration,” she said. “World War II, Korean War, I mean, he drives. He comes shopping almost every day here. We just clicked.”<\/p>\n
When wished a happy birthday one final time, Laird offered a characteristic response.<\/p>\n
“Thank you, sir. Appreciate it,” he said, adding, “I hope I make a couple more.”<\/p>\n
Bill Laird’s 99 years \u2014 marked by military service, personal loss, quiet resilience, and daily trips to the grocery store \u2014 stand as a testament to a life fully lived in the Heart of Acadiana.<\/p>\n
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