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After 39 Years On His First Job, Bratt Elementary Custodian Retires
January 5, 2016
Willie Fountain of Walnut Hill has retired as the head custodian at Bratt Elementary School, where had worked since he was just 15-years old.
In 1976, Fountain was placed in a summer custodial job at Bratt Elementary by Ruby Amerson Wells, then-supervisor of the Escambia County School District’s Summer Youth and Employment Training Program. Fountain returned each summer and accepted a full time job at Bratt when he graduated from Ernest Ward High School. He was promoted to head custodian in 1981.
His last official day on the job was back in December, with an official retirement date of December 31.
He considered leaving Bratt Elementary only once before when the Century prison opened and was being staffed.
“I decided this isn’t for me,” Fountain recounted Monday about studying for a prison job. “I decided I was just going to stay where I was at. I did put my son there; he’s a correctional officer.”
‘You are irreplaceable,” current Bratt Elementary Principal Jeanene Hall said Monday during a retirement reception Monday at the school.
Numerous current and former teachers and school staff members shared stories about Fountain’s 39 years at Bratt Elementary — from the serious like recovering from hurricanes to the lighthearted like removing a snake from a classroom. Almost every story of Fountain’s decades at Bratt included laughter, because, as numerous educators attested, laughter was just Fountain’s way.
“I don’t know what we are going to do without you Willie,” Hall said. “You made things really easy. I can’t ever thank you enough.”
For now, Fountain said he’s ready for retirement and time in the great outdoors. “Fishing and hunting,” he said. “I have a whole lot of fishing and hunting to do.”
Also ready to go fishing is Bratt office employee Karen Brown, who was also honored Monday because she retires in a couple of months following 10 years at Bratt, about 35 total in education. “You are also irreplaceable,” Hall told Brown.
The group also recognized Sharon Cardwell, who was unable to attend, upon her retirement after 40 years in education.
Pictured top: Ruby Amerson Well (standing, left) found Willie Fountain (right) his first-ever job at Bratt Elementary School. Pictured bottom inset: Bratt retiree Karen Brown. Pictured below: Bratt Elementary School Principal Karen Hall shares written stories about retirees during a luncheon Monday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
31 Responses to “After 39 Years On His First Job, Bratt Elementary Custodian Retires”
Hey papa I remember when you was sitting in your office and you said I already got me a plan my plan is hunt now you better kill a deer this year
Love,
Leah
congratulation willie im proud of you,but don”t forget what you told me, i could go
with you to fishing love you .
your sister linda
Thank you Willie for being such an awesome all around great person. You always have a smile on your face and always treated everyone with great respect. ENJOY your retirement friend!
Congraulations! Job well done!
Willie, Congratulations! You deserve it! I hope you remember me, Ms. Escobar, from the early 1980’s. You were always smiling and a great listener! No matter the problems, you always took things calmly and with a smile. Enjoy your retirement!
The best to you!
Willie Fountain is a first class Man and Human Being.
Congratulations Willie. Now go teach Leo how to hunt!
And I can tell by your picture, you haven’t aged since I saw you in the 1980s and early 1990s. The “Fountain” of youth must be being happy and smiling, and treating others as you would like to be treated, because you did just that
What a ray of sunshine he was! Thanks for enlightening everyone’s day, and really showing all the students and staff what it means to be happy with the life you were given. God bless you, and I hope you enjoy your retirement as much, if not more, as you did your job, in showing others the meaning of a smile. The world needs more like you, Mr. Willie
Bratt Elementary was my first school as Principal.Willie and the secretary, Caroline “raised me ” that first year. They helped me understand that things are different in the North End. I always felt we worked as a team. I was shocked when I moved to the South End of the county, to find that most costudians were not as knowledgeable and didn’t work as hard as Willie. I know he will be missed at Bratt, but I hope he enjoys his retirement.
I wish I would have stayed at the first job I ever had. It was by far my favorite. Here I sit nearly 40 years later, I have chased the dream, I have been been rich, I have been poor, I have been around the world and sailed most of the seven seas. I have done so many things and been so many places, but in reality I think life could have been much more enjoyable had I just recognized the what it was that made me happy in the first place.
Cheers to you Sir, I hope your next 39 years are as fulfilling as the first 39…
Congratulations to Mr. Willie, Ms. Karen, and a double-congratulations to Ms. Cardwell for 40 years in the classroom! How did you do that? I hope all of you enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
Congratulations Willie. You deserve it.
Now THAT’S commitment!
I cant hardly believe you have left.Thank you for always being there to help bridi and myself even when I could not be there.As long as she knew Mr. Willie ( uncle Ricky ) was there and had to be called on some occasions it made me have a more better day, Thank you for that . Thank you for things you helped me with that you dont even know you did. Now hunt and fish all you can
love your nieces brianna and jackie
Congratulations Mr. Fountain and Mrs. Brown.
Thank you both for your years of service and dedication.
I remember Mr. Fountain from Bratt so well. He was also so kind, and also cut up w/ the kids. I know he is excited about retirement, and he deserves it. Congrats!!
Hey Willie! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, but congrats on your retirement…I know you are looking forward to it….now, go sit back and enjoy many years with your family!
Congratulations Mr. Willie! You were always so nice. I remember you from Elementary School!!!
I went there from 1967 until 1975 under Coach McKay and Mr. Copeland. Greatest School I have every attended.
Our oldest daughter is forty-one and our youngest grandchild to attend Bratt is witheleven. In all those years when we were at the school for whatever reason we were met with a sweet smile and greeting from Mr. Willie,he will be missed!!!!!
I have so many good memories of Bratt that have Willie in them. What a class act. I never saw him on a bad mood and he was always ready to help, even once when I got myself stuck behind some shelves and he had to come to my rescue! We’ve been lucky to have him for so long. I’m just sorry for the kids to come who won’t get to know him.
Congratulations Uncle Ricky….keep allowing God to direct your path in the chapter of life…
Love
Tina
Congratulations Willie!! We love you and appreciate everything you have done!!
Jennifer
congrats congratson.your accomplishments
Mr. Willie’s the best. Congratulations and Happy Retirement.
Happy Retirement, Mr. Willie and Ms. Karen Brown!!
I remember you both so well when I went to Bratt in the 90s and I have since seen you with both of my kids attending school there. You both are always smiling and very helpful. I hope both of you have a great retirement and be blessed. Thank you for making Bratt Elementary Great!!
Mr. Willie made an impression on everyone. I still can recall being in elementary school & seeing him, always cheerful! Always made a point to say Hello to all of us kids! He was always so kind to everyone! Congratulations Mr. Willie! Don’t fish and hunt too much, save some for the rest of us!
Happy retirement!
I graduated with Willie from Ernest Ward in 1980. Willie was always smiling.
Congratulations Willie! Try to leave some fish and game for everyone else.
Congrats to all of these!
Even though I was a small child, Mr. Willie I remember your ever-present smile. And though I didn’t appreciate it at the time, the cleanliness of the school under your care was tremendous. You taught us all what a job well done looked like.
May God bless your retirement years.
I remember Mr Willie so well from when I was in elementary school – he was always so kind. Congratulations and many blessings to you, sir! Enjoy a long, healthy, & happy retirement
Mr. Willie, I met you through my mother, Johnie Johnson, working for her with the After School Child Care program in 1991, when my oldest son, Joe, started there. My mother, my dad, Herman Johnson, my sons and I, were always met with a smile and a wave. During all the years I was a Bratt parent, your smiling face and happy walk and talk were always a pick-me-up and a blessing. Thank you.
Congratulations on your retirement and enjoy your fishing! You certainly earned it (Oh, my, how many children did you see grow up and pass through those halls?).
Becky