Bill Rider has accumulated 34 years at OPP, including his 10 months as wage payroll. He retired on January 3rd, but his story began when he was filling in for a welder who hurt his back in 1981. Bill was a part time, wage-payroll laborer hoping to land a full-time job. The person he filled in for went to light duty and soon retired, opening up a full-time welding position for Bill. He eventually became lead man for the welding crew.

His day began at 7 a.m. when he would check Maximo for E.M.s or C.M.s that needed to be done that day. He ordered materials and distributed assignments. The welding shop works with a wide variety of steels, non-ferrous and ferrous metals, and specialty products. Bill made sure the shop was stocked with the appropriate metals and welding gases such as argon, oxygen, acetylene.

Stargon is a carefully controlled blend of argon, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen designed for welding different types of stainless steels. Stargon takes the oxygen away while welding, basically anodizing the metal. "Stainless steel is especially difficult. If you go too fast, it warps. Aluminum is also a problem, but our customers like the way it looks, so we use a lot on campus, especially for stairwells."

The welding crew functions as a closely knit team. "The main thing is getting along with each other. When our personalities jive, it just makes the work go easier. Our guys are really good at what they do. Years ago it took me awhile to figure out handrail layout, but I learned from the older guys. They taught me a lot! The best thing about OPP is working with such great people. John Lyons is one of the best bosses we've ever had! He's really good to get along with and always helps us get the job done right."

Non-Smoking Area

The entire welding shop was recently remodeled and has a new exhaust system. "Since they rebuilt the shop, we have a lot more room to work and we have motors that suck the smoke out as you weld. Stainless and galvanized metals generate toxic gases during our work, and Don Fronk makes sure our crew has safety masks and other protective gear on hand."

The technology of welding has changed greatly since Bill joined OPP 34 years ago. 

"Nobody ever would have thought we would have a 110 welder. It's just a little box you can carry on your side and plug into the wall. The old machines were about four times bigger and did a lousy job. The new equipment is so small we can easily take it out to the field. Our OPP vans carry everything we need, and we don't have to run back to headquarters very often."

Flagpole Sitter

Bill's scariest job assignment had to be welding the ball apparatus (called a "truck") on top of the flagpole at Old Main. 

"You're 115 feet in the air and blown around by the wind while trying to weld at the same time. I had to hold onto the pole with one hand and weld with the other while constantly shaking. That was one of the scariest experiences I ever had at OPP! The existing 'truck's were falling apart, but the new one is heavy stainless and will last forever. I had to wear a safety harness while up on crane lift and was glad to have it on. The view was great, but really pretty scary. I felt like had been inducted into the tree climber group!"

Football Fridays

The welding shop levels and measures the Beaver Stadium goalposts on the Friday prior to every home football game. The posts have to meet national specifications to pass inspection. The horizontal beam must be exactly 10 feet from the ground, and everything must be level. It's a big responsibility because the play field is required to meet athletic standards to be officially sanctioned. 

"The posts are often out of alignment due to fans hanging on them or just from the wind. It's really windy in the stadium, and you will see our crew out there every Friday before home games. We take off a cover at the bottom of the pole and adjust the stainless nuts with big wrenches. We used to have a heck of a time with rusted nuts, so we changed to stainless steel. The posts are about 8 inches thick and extremely heavy-duty. They weigh a lot, and we're always surprised at how far they drift between games. Every time the fans get overly excited, our crews get a little extra work."

Future Hunter of America

Bill learned how to weld during his three years of vocational training in Pleasant Gap. He was a member of the Future Farmers of America and grew up in Madisonburg. He now lives in Spring Mills and often sees 60-70 turkeys hanging out when he comes home from work. 

"I've never seen wildlife so close to home. It seems to be due to a lack of acorns for food. I also can get a lot closer to deer this year because they are so interested in eating. I use a scope on my Browning .308 and usually hit what I'm aiming at."

In retirement Bill hopes to do more hunting and some traveling. He has always been interested in history and plans on visiting Gettysburg so he can pay respects to the battlefield. 

"I'm also looking for a house in the country with a fair amount of ground, at least 20 acres so I can hunt on my own land and do some four wheeling. I currently go over to the Rails to Trails park in Snowshoe and have a blast."

OPP wishes Bill a great retirement and hopes he has a blast every day.