www.roanoke.com

Photo courtesy of Neil Ordway

Joseph Johnson, 89, worked as a waiter aboard Norfolk and Western trains for 40 years.

Joseph Johnson hasn't been just waiting tables nearly 70 years; he's been serving others.

At 89, Johnson is not only the oldest banquet waiter but also the oldest of the 76 employees at Holiday Inn Valley View.

For 70 years, Johnson has served special breakfasts, lunches and dinners to a slew of people aboard Norfolk and Western Railway trains, at Hotel Roanoke, at the Shenandoah Club and now the current Holiday Inn and its predecessors.

But during the recent holiday season Johnson's smile and pleasant demeanor were missing in action -- he's been out on sick leave since October. His fellow waiters and waitresses and some regular customers have missed him during wedding receptions, banquets, luncheons and other special meals.

That absentee period has Johnson thinking about retiring, a decision he's really not ready to make and one that co-workers would like to see delayed.

"I've been doing this long enough. Plenty of time you have to be there at 5 a.m.," Johnson said. "I don't think there's another waiter who's been around here as long as I have."

"Johnson's never known any other kind of work," said his wife, Lillie.

Johnson retired after 40 years of serving meals on Norfolk and Western trains. Deciding that retirement was boring, Johnson returned to waiting tables. He's been at Holiday Inn longer than the 20 years the hotel's general manager, Neil Ordway, has been there.

The oldest of five children of a railroad laborer, Johnson quit high school and worked two years before finishing up at the old Lucy Addison High School in 1940.

Johnson said he quit school to help out his father with the family. "Dad would buy stuff at the railroad commissary, and I would see how much would come out of his pay. Dad used to buy me shoes and clothes, and he paid a pretty penny."

After graduation, Johnson went to work at Hotel Roanoke before joining the Navy during World War II. He then returned to Hotel Roanoke, where he was encouraged to become a waiter on trains.

For years, he rode and worked trains from Roanoke to such places as Birmingham, Ala., Norfolk, Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio. He raised nine children from his first marriage while working as a waiter.

Although Johnson is older than his peers and only works part time, he is energetic and pulls his own weight, according to hotel management.

"I know it's just a menial job, but I just get a kick out of it and I like to do it," Johnson said of being a waiter. "I get something out of seeing other people happy and enjoying their food."

Johnson added that he sees very few changes in work ethics of his co-workers today and those when he first started working.

"We have a lot of teamwork and don't have any squabbling among us," said Johnson, adding that others don't patronize him because of his age. "I have to carry 10 or 12 meals at a time like other waiters," he quipped.

Ordway described Johnson as "your classic Southern gentleman; very polite and courteous. He is delightful, quick-witted, energetic and definitely a hard worker and loyal to our hotel."

Banquet manager Barry Langhorn said Johnson doesn't expect special treatment during his shifts and "is an encouragement himself."

Other employees are amazed that Johnson, at age 89, is still working and doing the same job they are, Langhorn said. "They say, 'I hope to live as long as Joe' or 'I hope when I'm that old, I'm able to move around like he does.' "

And Langhorn said, "Joe's an inspiration just by being here. He's always on time. He comes in and he works."

Periodically, Johnson shares his career experiences with co-workers and "that inspires us."

Johnson likes talking about his experiences, especially those aboard the trains. Some of the most memorable times include serving fans who came to Roanoke for the annual football game at Victory Stadium between Virginia Tech, then VPI, and Virginia Military Institute.

"There were dinners in the main dining room [of Hotel Roanoke] for game participants and dinners everywhere." The hotel, Johnson said, was busy with special meals for days before and after the game.

He's met entertainers and celebrities and garnered autographs.

But a very special career highlight was nearly three years ago when he was asked to bless the food at the 100th birthday party for Mary Hines, a member of his church.

Johnson, deacon emeritus, and Hines, a deaconess, are longtime members of Jerusalem Baptist Church.

"This was something that made me feel real good," Johnson said of the family's request for him to pray. "It was a real honor."