Remembering ‘Griff’ Griffin

Editor’s Note: The following story of Atlanta citizen “Griff” Griffin appeared in 2017 upon his retirement from Wal-Mart as their longest employee of 25 years and at age 80. Griff died this past week, age 88.

Wal-Mart in Atlanta won’t sell as much this week. Maybe not even next week. The store won’t have Griff Griffin as an employee in the auto service department any longer. He’s been there 25 years.

“Griff,” as he is known, retired Friday at age 80, though he doesn’t look the age.

Griff was the salesperson, once met, you’d go back to look for. He had the ability to impress customers as one who enjoyed his work. He did this quietly. Not to impress but to assist.

He’s gone home to O’Farrell now, i.e., to grow vegetables. At his going away party, first thing 10 a.m. Friday when he came to work, the employees said they were ready to buy Griff ’s veggies.

Griff ’s full name is William Tildon Griffin. He doesn’t know where the name Tildon came from, but then his father was named Isidor Lillian Griffin.

“I don’t know where he got the name Lillian either,” Griff said. “I’d wondered but decided the best thing to do was just not worry about it.”

This reveals something important about the person Griff Griffin. He doesn’t get much upset or overly concerned about things. After all, he was also an employee of 30 years with Endsley Wholesale Grocery in Atlanta before joining Wal-Mart and getting along with everyone there, too.

He was also an ideal patient during a big problem in his life, a time in which he had to have a heart valve replacement.

“The surgeon came in after the operation and asked me if I hurt anywhere. ‘No,’ I said, Just where you cut me here on the chest.’” In this same manner, he likes to tell about where he lives.

“I have a Douglassville phone with an 846 number, then I get mail from Atlanta and I’m in the Linden school district.”

Griffin is also veteran who served with the military police at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio. There he said he learned to appreciate what could be done for others by the medical center’s outstanding burn center which would even treat civilians if necessary.

He had married Velma Farris, and the couple had one daughter Robin, who is now Robin Gooch Griff said he has no secrets about raising Robin.

“She was always a good kid,“ he said. “Then after she got grown, she’d argue with me, set me straight. I think they’re best off like that.”

Griff says he’s ready to grow those vegetables, but he’s aware things burn up in the heat that seems earlier and more prevalent today.

One other thing he’ll do, too. He’ll continue to care for his two dogs, one of whom is 17 now and almost blind.

“The other goes with me everywhere to do whatever I ‘m doing. They are in my lap right now as I ‘m talking on the phone,” he said.

And, finally, his secret of life? “Get up and go,” he said. “You’ll feel better if you just get up and go. Don’t lay around there.”

From now on, the Wal-Mart customer in the auto department — or elsewhere — may have to go get things themselves. Then, again, they may not.

“I’m here to see Griff,” they may say. That’ll do it. Wal-Mart will get to sell something, courtesy of Tildon “Griff” Griffin again.