From the steaming jungles of Guadalcanal and the stinking mud of Peleliu, by way of Cape Gloucester on New Britain, 1942-43, to the concrete floors and air conditioned aisles of Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse in Foley, Ala. in 2012—thus is the circuitous journey traveled by Welton Hance of Elberta.

Welton enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on Dec. 17, 1941. He participated in the invasion of Guadalcanal in 1942, and then tested his luck once again in the jungles of Peleliu, where his luck finally ran out when he was wounded by shrapnel from a Japanese grenade. He was discharged, but remained in the inactive reserves and was surprised to be ordered back to active duty in 1950 for the Korean conflict.

In 1945, Welton married, then worked in South Dakota for 42 years. His wife suffered ill health in the harsh climate of South Dakota, so they moved to Baldwin County in 1986. His wife died in 2006.

In September of 1999, Welton went to work at Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse in Foley, at age 77—he still works there full time. Welton is possibly the oldest employee of Lowe's in the country, according to Patricia Brown of Lowe's personnel department.

In 2008, he married his present wife whom he met while playing Santa Claus.

Welton describes her as, “A magnificent woman who makes my life worth living.”

On March 15, Welton Hance will celebrate his 90th birthday: still active, still working, still a productive member of society, still as sharp as a surgeon's scalpel.

If you happen to be in the vicinity of Lowe's in Foley around March 15th, I urge you to stop in and wish a happy birthday to this remarkable man. You won't have any trouble finding him. He looks like Santa Claus.

Welton Hance is truly a man for all seasons. Congratulations and happy birthday, Welton. We salute you!