Growing Up in Williamsport, Ohio

Billy Horch….Ray Horch….What is your real name? You’re still Billy to me!
 
Since I am writing about my family’s experiences in Williamsport, I thought I would include this school story. Sorry Billy….er Ray…..or whoever you are!
 
In school, we were always seated alphabetically. That meant that Billy Horch sat behind me every single year for twelve years. We were friends in spite of the fact that he messed with my hair and picked at my clothes for twelve years. 
 
Anyway, when we were Seniors, our mothers prepared our Senior Banquet and served us in the Home Economics classroom in the basement of the school. The Senior Prom was held afterward at the Fairgrounds Coliseum in Circleville. My boyfriend had moved and then broke up with me. I didn’t dance and I was taller than most of the boys in my class, so I didn’t plan to go.
 
When the banquet was over, one of the girls (I think it was Judy Anderson) said to Billy Horch and me, “Why don’t you two go together?” We sort of looked sideways at each other and said “Okaaaay.”
 
Billy had a Jeepster at that time. The sides were not on it as he drove to Circleville. My mother and Dad had gotten my corsage and pinned it onto my lace trimmed, pink and white checked dress. It was sleeveless with a scoop neck, so it was a cold ride. Neither Billy nor I could dance so we sat at the table watching everybody else dance. 
 
Of course, that was not the end of Billy pestering me. The school year wasn’t quite over! And by-the-way, Billy (or whoever you are) and I have always been, and will always be the best of friends! Hopefully that’s still true after this blog.

​©Marilyn Francis Ferguson 2020
Photography/graphics by Michele Ferguson Schuck