ASHLAND — Communication is the key to a long and successful marriage, according to two brothers and their wives who are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversaries this year.
William H. Lockwood, 83, of Ironton, met his wife-to-be, Wilma, at Black’s Skating Rink in Ashland in 1946. Lockwood had served in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in the wilds of New Guinea, Australia and The Philippines. It was a quick courtship; they met in March and were married in September.
His brother, John, 80, of Ashland, met his wife the same year in Mokas Restaurant. He was preparing to enter the U.S. Army and his future wife, Roma, was a teen. The two kept in touch and ended up marrying in 1946 after a three-year relationship.
The weddings were two weeks apart.
Neither had a big, expensive wedding.
William and Wilma married in church with just those who were standing up for them looking on.
“I didn’t ask for a big wedding,” Wilma said. “With my dad out of work for five years, we didn’t have the money. I didn’t want it.”
John and Roma’s wedding was small, too, and at the parsonage of their church.
The brothers have their work history in common, too.
William retired from Armco after 40 years of service where he was a supervisor at the Amanda Blast Furnace. He also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity for 11 years. With the exception of a couple of years living in Michigan, John spent his career at Armco, too, working almost 39 years as a crane operator.
Both have two children, a boy and a girl.
All four have been close friends over the years and enjoyed boating together. The brothers also have taken some fishing trips to Canada together.
They also all agree that keeping a marriage working requires work.
“Talk out everything,” William said. “Don’t fly off the handle and do something or buy something without talking about it and planning.”
“We’ve never had any trouble,” Wilma said.
“All marriages have ups and downs,” John added. “We haven’t had any real trauma, no separations. She helps me and I help her. She’s a good mother and we think we did a good job. We’ve had no hardships.”
Roma added that communication is key.
“Don’t go to bed mad and be sure to tell each other often you love each other,” she said.
LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.
Local News
Related Photos
-
LEE WARD - THE INDEPENDENT
Discussion
2 brothers celebrating their 60th wedding anniversaries
- Local News
-
-
Man has cellphone stolen by woman soliciting sex
A man reported Tuesday his cell phone was stolen by a woman who got into his vehicle and solicited sexual favors for money.
-
Kentucky Teleworks looking for workers
Kentucky Teleworks will soon be screening eastern Kentucky applicants for several jobs where they can work at home for two companies that are global leaders in the telework industry.
-
Carter sets June 5 for 2nd reading
Carter Fiscal Court will have a special meeting on June 5 at the Carter Fiscal Courtroom, room 201, in the Carter County Courthouse.
-
Tempers flare in Carter County
Angry voices called out from a standing-room-only audience during the Carter County Fiscal Court meeting Tuesday as elected officials proceeded with plans for a proposed regional jail.
-
18 from area died in dinner club fire
Eighteen members of Ashland’s Roadrunners Club were killed in the third-worst nightclub fire in U.S. history on May 28, 1977. In total, 165 revelers died in the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire just across the river from Cincinnati.
-
The long ride home
Adventure, says Ryan Curry, is in his blood.
- News in brief, 5/30/12
-
2 recipes revealed in Sanders autobiography
Want to cook like the Colonel?
-
Vet picnic will be Saturday
Tri-State veterans are invited to a free outing on Saturday.
-
‘Building Doctors’ will make rounds in Portsmouth June 14,15
Main Street Portsmouth, TSHD Architects and the Ohio Historic Preservation Office of the Ohio Historical Society will sponsor a Building Doctor Clinic for old-building owners in the Portsmouth area June 14 and 15.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Man has cellphone stolen by woman soliciting sex
No Limits for Disabled Hunters at Mich. Base
Victim Identified in Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Radioactive Bluefin Tuna Crossed the Pacific
90 Guns Seized, Dozens Arrested in Oakland
Raw Video: Hail Storm Batters Oklahoma City
6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin
Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40
Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later
Judge's Ruling Halts Tenn. Mosque Construction
Romney in Las Vegas on Texas Primary Day
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing
Even Fla. Police Shocked by Face-Mauling Attack
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
