‘Willie’s Way’ dates back 64 years
Several notable events happened in 1950 – the first modern credit card was introduced, the first organ transplant was performed, “Peanuts” a cartoon strip about a boy and his dog Snoopy was launched by little know artist, Charles M. Schulz and Willie McDonald began his banking career with Third National Bank.
And the rest they say is history.
Fast forward some 64 years later, and Willie is still behind the desk, in the lobby, and on the road meeting and greeting new customers as he introduces them to CedarStone Bank. Saturday July 6, marked McDonald’s 64th year in his chosen vocation.
“CedarStone Bank is obviously very fortunate to have Willie on our team as not too many banks in the country, if any, have someone who is still going strong after 64 years in the profession. Willie is a great advocate for our bank and the financial industry and continues to bring in new customers each and every month,” commented Hank Stuart, Ex. VP and longtime friend and co-worker of Mr. McDonald.
Willie worked with Third National Bank (later to become SunTrust) for over 53 years. He officially “retired” from SunTrust soon after his 53rd year in banking and received a new Ford Mustang convertible, a car he still drives today, as a gift from his customer base. Not his employer, or fellow employees…but his customer base.
He had a brief stay at Regions Bank before beginning his new career here at CedarStone Bank in 2004.
“We had plans down the road to open a branch in the Donelson market,” explained Bob McDonald, president and CEO of CedarStone Bank, “but my father’s availability caused us to act a little sooner than originally planned.”
“The Donelson branch has enjoyed tremendous growth and we can attribute a lot of that to Willie and the banking relationships he has formed and nurtured for the past 64 years,” McDonald added.
“It’s an honor working with my father. He is a banking legend and we are proud to have him as a part of the CedarStone team,” McDonald said.
Willie and CedarStone Bank’s Hank Stuart worked side by side with each other during the early years of Stuart’s banking career at Third National Bank.
“We had a saying back then, there is a right way, a wrong way, and then there is Willie’s way,” Stuart added, “and we still say that today.”
“Willie has mentored countless number of bankers over these 64 plus years and I am grateful for all that he has taught me. More than anything, I am thankful for our relationship as co-workers and friends. He continues to outwork us all and like I have always said, ‘Willie works by walking around.’ I am very glad that he continues to mentor us by working at CedarStone Bank.”