Recently, at Atria Carmichael Oaks, over one hundred guests celebrated a wedding anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Littlejohn have been married for 70 years. Family and friends came to wish them well, listen to the violinist play beautiful music, and share a piece of cake from the giant anniversary cake.

The Littlejohn’s favorite song is Frank Sinatra’s “Always.” If you listen to the words, you can see why it is their favorite:

“I’ll be loving you, with a love that’s true, always.

I will understand, always.

Not for just an hour, not for just a day, not for just a year, but always.”

When they married in 1946, it was for a lifetime.

Josephine Littlejohn believes that the secret to a long and happy marriage is to forgive and forget. “You may have your ups and downs, but you just have to smile and go on. Blow our stack to get things off your chest, and then move forward with love in your heart!”

Bill Littlejohn was born in Nebraska, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1940. He was assigned to the USS St. Louis in December 1940. The ship was moored at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese fleet attacked. Bill remained on the St. Louis throughout the war, and attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

Bill was a member of the retail clerks, and worked as a grocery manager. They raised two sons, and have one grandson and one great-grandson. The couple has lived in the Sacramento area since 1950. Bill is an active charter member of Pearl Harbor Survivors, Chapter 6. They now reside at Carmichael Oaks, where they have many friends, and are enjoying their golden years together. Josephine enjoys playing Pinochle and Poker Bingo.