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and other European countries, “| felt very guilty leaving Shirley home with five kids, but that was my job,” Bill admits. Bill's life took another detour in 1970 when Loblaws came knocking, luring him away from Towers and hiring him as their merchandise manager. Five years later his life took another turn, but this time it brought him closer to home. In 1975 he along with his son Bob, opened the Sted- man’s store in Port Perry Plaza, ending 14 years of travel- ling from Seagrave to Toronto every morning - a daily 120 mile return trip. During the 17 years he and his son operated the local store, they purchased both the Uxbridge and Stouffville Stedman stores. Then in 1989, at 58 years of age, he decided to retire, leaving the business in the capable hands of his son. And this brings us back to “Birdhouse Willy.” It was while living in Seagrave on a beautiful three-acre property that his interest in birds was rekindled. He started purchases from Georgia, which he reminds us were one of the world’s first birdhouses. He also gives back to the community, having donated more than 1,100 units over the past two decades to dozens of organizations and groups for prizes and projects. He's served as a director and president of the Scugog Chamber of Commerce, was vice president of the Central Seven Association (now Com- munity Living) and a member of the Seagrave United Church and Oddfellows Lodge for almost half a century. But it’s his “Birdhouse Willy” activities that have made him a household name around thi ity. And his dedication to Purple Bill “Birdhouse Willy” Barr when he was president of the Scugog Chamber of Com- merce in 1983 and 1984. out building birdhouses for himself, then peopl dropping in asking him to build houses for them. It was at this time his interest in Purple Martins was perked up by Eddie Michelle, owner of Birdseye Centre Cabin Park in Port Perry. Eddie had a number of Purple Martin houses on is property and Bill learned about the birds from him. Back home in Seagrave, he continued to erect birdhous- es around his Property and pond, at one time having 25-30 houses on the pro] It was these houses that lured a young Seagrave lad, Brian Keene, to walk about a mile and a half to the Barr home on Simcoe St., just south of the Seagrave entrance. Brian, came to the door one day and asked Shirley if “Birdhouse Willy” could come out and play. Bill and Shirley’s youngest son, coincidentally named Brian, said to his dad “that’s the name you should use for your birdhouse business.” And so “Birdhouse Willy,” was born and the name has stuck like glue for more than 25 years. As a loving jesture of inclusion, Bill refers to Shirley as his “Little Wren,” signify- ing his affection for the special woman in his life. Over the past 21 years, since moving to their Simcoe St. home in Port Perry, Bill can be found busy in his garage/ workshop cutting and assembling houses for birds, bats and toads. A few years ago he also started selling gourds he TOWING 131 NORTHPORT ROAD PORT PERRY - 905-985-8707 Martins can be seen in both Birdseye Park and Rotary Park where he has erected and maintained birdhouses since 1986, at no charge to the community. So the next time you run into a big man with a crum- pled white hat, stain splattered shoes and t-shirt walk- ing along the street... just say hello to one of Port Perry's unique characters, “Birdhouse Willy.” By J. Peter Hvidsten Focus on Scugog with 15°/16” bar MS 170 Gas Chain Saw 30.166/1.3kW WOOD-PRO™ KIT with the Purchase of participating ss VALLANCE EQUIPMENT LTD. 4179 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa (just 1okm south of Port Perry) 905-655-3291 + 1-800-575-5656 FOCUS - OCTOBER 2009 17