Bill Spainhour at 100 years old on his John Deere 40

This picture is of my dad, Bill Spainhour, at 100 years old, on his prize possession, his John Deere 40. He bought it new in 1953 when he was 65 years old, and I was 15. I went with him to buy it. It was a happy day for me and, from what I remember, an even happier day for my dad. He plowed his garden, pulled tobacco slides, and did all sorts of work around the farm on his John Deere. He continued to do so several years after passing the century mark. My dad and mom, Glida Spainhour, were married for almost 80 years. She died 3 months shy of their 80th anniversary. I am the youngest of their 12 children and will be 86 in December of 2024.

I remember stopping by my parents house one day when my dad was around 104 years old, and I asked him if he would sell me his tractor. He didn’t answer. As I was leaving, he asked, “Son, what are you going to do with YOUR tractor?” I said, “You haven’t said you’ll sell it to me.” “I am asking you what you’re going to do with your tractor?” I told him, “I have a grandson who is three months old. I will put it in my will to give to him. I’ll never sell it.” And that was that. A few months later, while visiting my parents, my mom, who was around 94 at the time, said, “Son, go get your tractor while we’re living.” I was overjoyed. I took it and completely restored it.

I remember once my dad walked about a mile to see me and a couple of men who were out in the field. The two men said among themselves, “Can you believe Bill is 100 years old and walked down here? He won’t be around much longer.” My dad replied, “Boys, I heard what you said, and you’re right I am 100 years old, but you know what I just might live longer than both of you. No one is guaranteed tomorrow.” And guess what, he did out-live both of them. My dad lived to be 108. I believe that attitude along with the happiness he found while on his John Deere were important ingredients into why he lived such a long and rewarding life. The tractor remains one of my most prized possessions to this day.

Kenneth Spainhour
King, North Carolina


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