Swap Shop

12 SOUTHERN SENIOR MAGAZINE | Fall 2022 A short time later the owner decided to sell one of the stores and Bill needed money upfront to make it happen. He was talking with a friend of his in Miles City. “I was telling a friend of mine about buying the store and he said he could help me if I wanted to borrow the money from him. I told my friend I didn’t have much for collateral, but my friend said ‘I’m not worried. I know you, and you will find a way to pay me back when you can, ‘“ Bill ex- pained. This got Bill and Mickey started in business together, even though Bill was still in Montana. Mickey ran their store on Palestine Road in Picayune. A short time later, Mickey called Bill to let him know that the owner wanted to sell another store, this one at the end of East Canal. Bill was able to to get the money for them to purchase the second store and the business deal was secured. Bill knew this second store was going to be a lot on Mickey’s plate and Bill knew in his heart what needed to happen. Days later, I told Ann that I think we need to move to Mis- sissippi to work with Mickey in the stores. She said ‘well okay, whatever is best for our family’.” So, in 1970, Bill and Ann loaded up everything they owned into a four wheel tandem trailer and made a sleep- ing area in the back seat for their four young children. Guy was seven; Penny was six, Wade was five, and Lisa was three when they arrived in Picayune. At first Ann was miserable in Mississippi. “Montana was rural, lots of ranches, lots of open spaces, beautiful mountains, I missed that. I wasn’t real happy at first here, but Bill told me we needed to stay here (Picayune) because it would be better for us financially,” Ann shared. “My folks had always taught me that you had to make your own place. You can make it good or bad. I decided I was going to make it good. It turned out that this area was great to raise our kids. They all loved growing up here. And over a short period of time, it became home for me, too.” The timing of moving to Mississippi was an example of God looking out for them. “At the time the opportunity for the second store came about, things began to change in the barber and hair cut- ting world. Everyone started letting their hair grow long and it really cut into the business. Shortly after we left Miles City, the young man who was working for me at the shop wanted to buy it, and I sold it to him,” Bill stated. “I moved here, and I had never run a store in my life, but the good Lord got us through it.” Over a short period of time, Bill and Mickey were able to re-pay Bill’s friends the money borrowed. Bill and Ann knew they had to make it all work. “We couldn’t afford to hire anybody at first, so we worked the store ourselves seven days a week. After four years, Mickey and I got to talking about it one day and decided to split up. I gave him his pick and we split the business dollar for dollar. It’s worked out well for both of us,” said Bill. “I couldn’t have done this without Mickey. He was so helpful in training me. He was a great partner. He was amazing to work with,” Bill added. Over the years, they have been huge supporters of the community in sponsoring youth ball teams, assisting with numerous charities, and Bill has been an active member of the Picayune Kiwanis Club since its inception in 1979. Bill and Ann shared some of the things they would tell a young couple today just starting their marriage. “You’ve got to be friends. And learn how to stay friends because there are two different personalities. Bill and I are completely different. He’s funny all the time. It took me a while to realize when he’s joking and when he’s not. Learn to laugh. I still laugh at his jokes and they’re old,” Anne said with a chuckle. Bill quickly replied, “I do need some new material for sure.” Advice to a young couple on raising chil- dren now that their children are grown?. “Hold them accountable for actions. When ours messed up, they knew it and they knew it (discipline) was coming. Maybe we spanked them too much,” Ann smiled. “Seriously, the Lord blessed us because we are Chris- tian, and we believe. I firmly believe that’s why it worked for us. I will say that Bill was strong on us all going to church, especially the children.” These three couples found a way with God’s direction, prayer, their belief in each other and in Christ, to stay to- gether. It proves that God’s not dead nor is marriage. Amen. S