Chamblee McDonalds worker retires after 59 years

A special celebration took place in Chamblee Thursday morning in honor of a beloved McDonald's employee.

October 27 not only marked Willie Calhoun's 73rd birthday, but also his 59th anniversary working at the fast-food chain.

"Mr. Willie," as his friends call him, started working at McDonald's when he was 14-years-old and has been at the Chamblee location on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard for more than two decades.

"I started off in Sandy Springs, to two more stores and ended up here," he said. "This is where I've been a very long time."

Thursday morning, a party was held at his longtime place of employment, where Mr. Willie was recognized for his hard work and loyalty.

"This is a special day for me," Mr. Willie told FOX 5. "It makes me feel great."

Mr. Willie said the best part about working at McDonald's is the wonderful people he works with.

"It's just been a great experience working here."

[LinkBeats]

Im 35 & i still work @ mcdonald's plus door dash on th side. You can work @ mcdonald's s long as you want util whatever age. Its a blessing just to have a job that pay the bills & keep food on the table regardless of where you work. Never let the world & outside opinions dictate your life.

[davidbasset]

this man is the last of a dying breed. salute to him and the entire McDonald's staff. they looked so happy

[WrecklessEating]

I mean grats to him but that's really depressing at the same time.

[DAViDD]

Look how healthy he is, and is he really 73 years old?

[pacificrules]

Such a humble man. Happy Retirement good sir.

[RK]

For as long as McDonald's has been around, it is shameful for anyone to admit that they work at McDonald's. This man has no such shame. He is humble and hard-working, and I am very sure he doesn't give a damn about all the negative comments here. If I were the store owner and his original employer from day one, on his actual retirement I would give that man one million dollars!

[Sir.X]

since 14? its too many opportunities in this world to be settled on that one job but hey he seems comfortable

[modernmisery]

Oh my god… 60 years…… at McDonald’s, and, this man isn’t making more than the average starter McDonald’s teen, I 100 percent bet.

[BassGoesBoom]

is he retiring like the title says because the voiceover says he will continue working there

[frankjosephdaniels]

Employers often don't promote their best workers because they don't have people to fill their place.. Makes you wonder how many people used this man as a stepping stone to get promoted without putting in a good word for him.

[louismccall]

I am torn on this story... Stock options back in the day? Not the shift manager? But, I am happy he has a job and isn't not on Tv about the wages, he probably carried little debt and doesn't want to be stressed out... I don't know. I feel I need to talk to this guy.

[natalielazarowicz]

This is so amazing!! So happy for him!!

[floridafishguy]

He's been working there since before his boss was born. How is he not the boss?

[mosriteminioncause]

Willy deserves the Laurels for a kind of Heroism seldom seen in todays world, Dedication, Humility, Service and Kindness...God Truly Bless you Mr. Willy.

[rustyshackleford]

I just hope he receives medical benefits.

[herbnavarro]

I believe he should be the only McDonald's employee to say "we deserve 15 dollar minimum wage."

[Jusderrick]

Y'all act like ppl have the same ambitions! He stayed there that long because he's loved it apparently! Some of y'all can't keep a job at all judging this man!

[mcesr]

Not to bash another brother but we gotta do better... stuff like this makes me wonder what goes on in peoples heads.. How you gonna spend your entire life making another man rich without trying to do anything for yourself? Im sure he got raises here & there but he prolly maxed out at (if he was lucky) 13$ dollars decades ago.. my nigga DECADES... imagine being at mcdonalds for 10 long years.. then another 10 years, then another 10.. shit is inexcusable bro. Everybody has situations they go through but this is bullshit. Bro didnt want to be anything but a number smh

[destinationskyline]

i wonder if he even gets an pension...its unfortunately how badly these ppl are treated.

[Soul]

No disrespect to this man good for him and I really mean that but I can never see myself working that long at McDonald’s. I worked there for almost 8 years and couldn’t stand it and felt trapped. I had to get out and I did. There are way more better jobs out there I don’t see why people would spend their whole life working minimum wage.