World War II veteran turns 100
There is a stark difference between 2022 and 1922.
Prohibition was in its infancy, the original Yankee Stadium had started construction, the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in Washington DC and the Roaring 20s were fresh enough that they didn’t even have a name yet.
Even though quite a bit has changed in 100 years, for one Alexis Pointe resident it’s just another day.
“Well it’s no different than 99,” Bill Cordes said. “So I expect tomorrow will be about the same.”
Cordes celebrated his 100th birthday last week being surrounded by both family and friends for a two day celebration.
What is the key to making it to 100 years old?
“It just happens,” Cordes said. “There is nothing you can do. I mean I went through an entirety of World War II and made it without a scratch. I got discharged, raised a family, and had a wife for 62 years. Nobody can ask for anything more than that.”
Being a World War II veteran and being a part of the VFW, many veterans came and helped celebrate Cordes birthday.
Also included in the celebrations was a US flag for Cordes. It had been flown over the Capitol and was given by John Mathis, who has worked with US Representative Chip Roy.
“It was amazing that the VFW came here,” Cordes said. “The veterans did a lot of service and came to see us. We appreciate that… They told me that they were coming and they were here.”
With Cordes having such a huge family, many members of the Cordes family came to Wimberley from all parts of the world to help celebrate his big day – or big days.
“It’s the biggest birthday a person can have and it’s beyond my imagination,” Cordes said. “I had company from Australia, Las Vegas, West Texas and local people I didn’t expect to see.”
“I had a nephew come in who I had no clue was coming in to see me,” Cordes said. “He was the oldest son of my wife’s younger sister. I was amazed, because I don’t remember them now as I did before. They are grown men with some having full beards.”
Chuck Cordes, Bill Cordes son, helped put together the two-day birthday celebration along with Katy Starr of Alexis Pointe.
For Chuck, having so many family members and friends come down to see his dad celebrate his birthday was a big surprise for his father.
“A lot of them (family) are from our hometown in Bay City, Texas,” Chuck Cordes said. “My brother is from Las Vegas and my friend is from Colorado, so he was surprised that so many people came out of this area to see him everywhere at once.”
It was an emotional moment for Bill seeing that so many people took time out of their day and daily life routine just to come and see him.
“He doesn’t tear up very much,” Chuck Cordes said. “But you can tell two or three times during the whole festivities that it really hit his heart.”
While such an occasion can require two days worth of celebration, it is actually a tradition in the Cordes family to celebrate Bill’s birthday in a two day span. The reason for celebrating a birthday across two days? A grammatical error.
Due to barely legible writing, Bill’s family thought his birthday was on the 5th of September when in actuality he was born a day later.
“The funny thing is, we have always celebrated my dad’s birthday on September 5th,” Chuck Cordes said. “The reason for that is on his birth certificate, the 6 on September 6th was open which made it look like the 5th. When we were all growing up, we celebrated on the 5th but some family members went to the courthouse and got a more legible certificate where they found out my dad’s birthday was on the 6th…so we celebrated his birthday for two days.”
Now Bill Cordes works on making it to 101 years old with a very simple plan.
“My plan is to be here, wake up and eat breakfast,” Bill Cordes said. “So I’m lucky to be here.”
Bill Cordes celebrates his birthday with the Alexis Pointe residents and friends by listening to 1940s karaoke.
PHOTO BY COLTON MCWILLIAMS/WIMBERLEY VIEW
Bill Cordes holds his American flag that has given to him by the office of US Representative Chip Roy. The flag was flown over the US Capital in honor of his 100th birthday
PHOTO BY COLTON MCWILLIAMS/WIMBERLEY VIEW