Willie and Barbara's Family Story
Willie is a United States Army veteran who first moved to El Paso County in 1988, when he was stationed at Fort Carson. Back then, he recalls, Colorado Springs was much smaller—and different from how it is now. Austin Bluffs marked the edge of the city. Roads were so treacherous during the winters that “the military had to put chains on our tires,” he says, and “they had Piggly Wiggly on Academy.”
After being stationed in South Korea, Willie retired from the military. Originally from Chicago, he worked in Florida portraying Goofy—or, more accurately, one of several Goofies—at Disney World.
“My little children got to experience Disney World at a very young age,” he says, then laughs. “They got so tired of it!”
He also took college classes toward a degree in electronics, worked as a hotel chef, and did landscaping. But his most challenging job was being a single dad. “I raised all four of my kids by myself. I didn’t have any help,” he recalls. “It was a struggle.” But his efforts paid off: “They’re successful,” he says, “not because of me, because of God.”
Eight years ago, he returned to Colorado Springs to care for his aging father – and found love!
Barbara originally came from Kansas, but she moved to Colorado Springs more than 25 years ago to be near her parents. She hails from a military family. Her father was a veteran of the Vietnam War, and her brother served for 28 years before retiring as a master sergeant.
Willie jokes, “One day she knew she wanted a man from Chicago, a military man! Someone similar to her dad.”
Before they met, though, Barbara raised four kids as a single mom. She spent most of her career “building cable, building computers,” she says. “I worked for the moving company, doing things I never thought I could do! I’ve been working since I was 14 years old. You do summer jobs and stuff like that. You always know the meaning of a dollar.”
Their kindness and desire to help others drew them together—and it’s obvious that their bond is strengthened by laughter, humor, and affection.
“I love her personality!” says Willie. “I love her give-ness towards people. I love her care-ness towards people.”
“He’s very kind,” Barbara says. “Willie helps a lot of people. As long as I’ve known him, he’s a helper.”
She adds, “We work well together. We’ve been working together ever since we’ve been together, and we’ve been working on building us a stronger tower.”
Their journey has taken them from living in a car to staying in motels and AirBnBs to the apartment they’ve now rented for three years.
“The most important thing about the situation is we didn’t have nothing, but we had each other,” says Willie. “That makes a difference. We had love for each other, and that’s how we survived. Through thick and thin, that person is for you.”
But the area where they currently live is unsafe—they hear gunshots, cars have been stolen from the parking lot, and Barbara says she’s afraid to even walk to her car at night.
Their building also doesn’t have air conditioning. During this summer’s high temps, the place wasn’t just uncomfortable, but with the thermostat inside topping 100 degrees, it became a health hazard. Barbara suffers from neuropathy, vertigo, and seizures that can be triggered by heat. When they complained, the property manager first gave them a window AC unit that didn’t work, and Willie had to persist in order to get a unit that actually functions.
The apartment is on the third floor, which poses additional hardships for them. “It’s too far up the stairs for both of us,” says Willie. “We can’t walk up and down stairs with groceries and laundry and all that stuff.”
Despite the less-than-ideal situation, they’re quick to emphasize their gratitude for having a roof over their heads.
“I appreciate that we have a spot to live,” Barbara says. “God always provides.”
When they move into their Pikes Peak Habitat home, they won’t have to climb stairs, and they’ll have the same mini-split air-conditioning system we install in all our new homes. It will also be a place where they can welcome their grandchildren—Willie has 17 and Barbara 12—and their children who live out of state.
Willie’s excited to cut his own grass, and Barbara says, “What I look forward to enjoying in the house is sitting in my backyard, feet up in my little itty bitty swimming pool! Kick back with the lemonade and the straw, and actually make lemon sun tea…”
“We look at our blessings ahead, and nothing can stop us!” says Willie. “We have a goal, and we can see it.”
About Veterans Build
Veterans Build is Habitat for Humanity’s national initiative to provide volunteer, homeownership, and employment opportunities to U.S. veterans, military service members, and their families.
As an official Veterans Build Affiliate with Habitat for Humanity International, Pikes Peak Habitat builds, maintains, and preserves homes in partnership with veterans and their families. We’re also committed to seeking more volunteer engagement from veteran groups, as well as recruiting veterans for employment and other service opportunities.