She Waited 70 Years To Know The Truth

Peggy Seale was just 18 years old when she worked as an electrical instrument mechanic at the Altus Oklahoma Air Force Base. She was born in Vernon, Texas during the 1920s. She had no clue that this would be the place where she would later meet her husband. This could be relateable to many of us as we never really know where we might meet our future spouses. Billie’s dad worked as a supervisor at Peggy’s workplace and that was where they first met. His dad felt like the two would make a great pair because Peggy was smart, beautiful and thoughtful. Since she was hard working and very witty, Billie’s dad felt like she would be the perfect girl for his lovely son.

One thing about Peggy that was really impressive was that she was not just another girl. While we perceive most girls as someone who belongs in the kitchen or doing household chores, Peggy was not one to stay at home and be non-productive. She was way too special to be sitting at home and not doing much. She was infact well informed and learned enough to work with other people in the air force. Peggy was the only female working at Altus Oklahoma Air Force Base as a mechanic. During those times, it was not however that rare to see females in a typically male dominant workspace. Peggy always made sure that she stayed true to herself not letting any bumps in her life steer her away from herself.

It was almost as if fate intervened because Billie’s father was working in the propeller department. This was where Peggy was working and pretty soon he became acquainted with Peggy. Since she was a smart woman who was thoughtful and kind, he wanted to introduce his son to her. When they finally met, the two were immediately drawn towards each other. Billie was instantly attracted to who Peggy was, driven and firm. He also made sure his feeling were known. Other women were all engrossed in trying to capture wealthy men for husbands while Peggy was here, feeling content to work and solve complicated mechanical issues. They were the right puzzle piece to each other.

So after getting acquainted with one another, the two became friendlier and friendlier. The two’s first meeting was not at all the typical kind as it happened at the base where Billie’s dad and Peggy worked. The two slowly grew closer and closer and they were both not really complaining. After meeting, the two of them wanted to learn more and more about each other. But since they were both kept busy with their work, the only thing they could do was to use letters. So Billie and Peggy communicated through the use of letters. Exchanging letters was the common norm back then, as to how people would get to know one another. It would be equivalent to today’s text messaging.

Since she was not one to make the first move when it comes to relationships, Peggy did not follow up with Billie’s father’s request for her to send a letter to Billie. So as Billie was informed by his dad about how Peggy was, he took matters into his own hands. He took a chance and started sending a letter to this girl his father had spoken so fondly about. Peggy revisits her memories of the time he made his first move saying,“I began to get letters from Billie. I was a little fearful of this man, who had not seen me but he thought I was okay. So when he came on leave (from the army), all of a sudden the door to the airplane opened and there was Billie Harris saying ‘Hello Peggy,’ and that was about it.”