By admin 
TOPANGA, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — World War II Navy veteran Bill Dillon celebrated his 102nd birthday surrounded by family, memories and reminders of a life he said was shaped by love.
Read more Unsolved LA: Four years later, no arrests in killing of up-and-coming chef gunned down in South LA
Dillon marked the milestone at home, where military accolades, family photos and mementos tell the story of his more than a century of life.
“We’re gonna walk and show you a quick view of the house, ok? Here we go,” Dillon said, while giving ABC7 a tour.
Among the keepsakes is a reminder of his military service.
“Of course, 192 is the number of my submarine,” he said.
Dillon also showed off his medals and photos of his seven children, along with a cherished picture of his late wife, Janet.
“I keep this here because every morning when I go by, I pat my wife of 72 years and 4 months and say I love her,” Dillon said.
The couple met when they were teenagers. Though Janet has since died, Dillon remains emotional when speaking about her.
“Don’t get me cryin’ because I do that real easy,” he said.
When asked the secret to his longevity, Dillon’s answer was simple.
“Well, quite frankly people ask me that and I’ll tell you the truth: A good wife. A good wife.”
Read more Gov. Newsom signs Leno’s Law, exempting more classic cars from smog tests
Top Stories
Footage from NBC4 helicopter before crash is ‘most important evidence’ to analyze, NTSB says
- 11 minutes ago
Chatsworth bus crash: Bailee Lynn Rios arrested for murder, 2 victims ID’d in violent crash involving SUV that slammed into Metro bus
Arrests made in crackdown of fraud, misuse of funds meant to combat Los Angeles homeless crisis
- 2 hours ago
At 102, Dillon also reflected on letters he wrote to Janet during WWII.
“My wife kept all my letters,” he said.
But Dillon said one of the most important lessons from their decades together was trust.
“The biggest thing is trust. T-R-U-S-T, she could trust me anywhere and I could trust her anywhere and that’s the way it was,” he said.
His daughter, Lanai Page, said Dillon’s positive outlook has also helped inspire their family.
“He’s just so positive and he can run circles around me,” Page said. “I’m 73 and he can run circles around me. He’s an inspiration.”
After 102 years of memories, Dillon celebrated surrounded by cheers, applause and birthday wishes for many more to come.
Read more Final word from ABC7 anchor Marc Brown on deadly KNBC helicopter crash