88-year-old McDonald's worker lovin' it
A Welsh employee may be the fast-food chain's oldest. It beats staying at home bored senseless, he says.
When you envision your 88th birthday, where do you see yourself?
If the answer is "behind the counter at McDonald's," you're either an economic cynic that people regularly come up with excuses not to talk to at parties, or you're Welsh World War II veteran Bill Dudley, who may be the oldest McDonald's (MCD.TSX) employee in the world.
According to News North Wales, Dudley took the job at McDonald’s seven years ago after spending 35 years at British Steel, a decade at aircraft manufacturer Airbus and more than 15 years as a taxi driver. Why keep working after a good 60 years of employment? In Dudley's case, even with 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren running about, all that peace and quiet got to be a little unnerving.
"Sitting at home can get boring. I'm not a drinker and my wife won't let me touch the garden as she does all that," he says. "After four days off at home I look forward to coming to work because I like talking to people and meeting people — that's why I loved the taxi work.”
While McDonald's has played coy when it comes to questions about Dudley's seniority, a spokesman noted that “Bill is probably one of the oldest working for us in the world.” That's only made him a greater asset to boss Terry Johnson, who called Dudley “the face of the business” who is extremely popular with the customers because “they like an older face.”
Dudley is well aware that he was in the Royal Navy taking fire from German torpedo bombers when he was the same age as many of his coworkers. It's a big part of the job's continued appeal.
“A lot of them are much younger than I am, like a whole different generation,” Dudley says. "But we’re like a family and I’m their father."
-- Jason Notte, MSN Money
Posted by: Been There Dunnit | Jul 9, 2021 5:01:45 PM
my 5yrs there were best job ever! made my high school days happy and money in pocket. I was one of few in my classed traveling and money in pocket. Todays kids are far from where we were. I no longer eat out anywhere unless I see it made.
Posted by: Patrick | Jul 9, 2021 6:17:41 PM
Sixty min. did an article on working throughout ones life . And everyone should until they are no more. For those who can`t , fine, for those who are fit enough, (it takes a continued practice) fill your life. Life is for living, not sitting around . and remember , your going to be dead for a long time. Oh , by the way, have you ever looked into the faces of these long timers and still see the youthful exuberance that they have carried in their continuum . Carry on ..... you are my life model...
Posted by: anon | Jul 9, 2021 6:45:35 PM
i want to see a picture of this dude!
Posted by: Tami | Jul 9, 2021 7:18:32 PM
I have the greatest of respect for this man! May his working life long continue!
Posted by: ray | Jul 9, 2021 7:53:00 PM
good for him !!!!
Posted by: Todd | Jul 9, 2021 8:24:23 PM
I guess that is great for him, but what about the teenage kids needing a job.
Posted by: Mike | Jul 9, 2021 8:35:58 PM
Todd: You mean there is a teenager that wants to work. Good Luck.
Posted by: Bobbi | Jul 9, 2021 9:25:44 PM
omg...that is toooooooooooooooo funny Mike, but so true...lmao
Posted by: Bruce Wonch | Jul 9, 2021 9:41:22 PM
I recently turned 69 and was turfed out of my teaching job out West at age 67 due to the fact I was past retirement age. Maybe I should try to join Bill! Hmmmmmmmmmm1nnnnnnn
Posted by: Macdo | Jul 9, 2021 11:13:05 PM
This is very good he will be there for is 100
Posted by: George Brown | Jul 11, 2021 12:12:57 PM
This is the kind of bull shit that causes youth unenployment...
Posted by: George Brown | Jul 11, 2021 12:24:20 PM
unemployment
Posted by: Bob | Jul 11, 2021 12:28:14 PM
No, sorry George. Lazy, self entitled, youth that want it all by doing nothing causes youth employment. McDonalds is beneath them, that is why foreign workers are taking youth jobs.
Posted by: George Brown | Jul 11, 2021 1:38:47 PM
Bob (whos probably 80)
That's the kind of BS excuse you always hear from old people, don't forget who raised the lazy self-entitled youth, you did idiot. It's bad enough the old people keep the good jobs till they're dead, now they go after the only jobs avalible to our kids.
Posted by: Tim | Jul 11, 2021 1:43:45 PM
My grandmother is 91 and is the oldest Wendy's employee at Store #1 in Canada located on Upper James St, Her name is Ethel Wilson.
Posted by: George Brown | Jul 11, 2021 1:48:16 PM
BTW, the only reason foreign workers get any jobs is because they are goverment subsidized so they can come hear pay taxes and support your sorry old ass because the youth are leaving to find jobs and no one here is having kids anymore.
Posted by: George Brown | Jul 11, 2021 2:10:43 PM
Stupidist thing the goverment ever did was to get rid of the mandatory retirement age...
Posted by: Tim | Jul 11, 2021 3:32:22 PM
Jason Notte Why don't you do a story on my grandmother as she is 91 and is the oldet Wendys employee in Canada Store #1 Hamilton Ontario