The Simple Secret to a Long Life I recently had the privilege of meeting William Albert “Al” Hair—103 and a half years old, and very clear that the “half” matters. When I asked him about the secret to a long life, he didn’t hesitate. “It’s simple,” he said. “Don’t worry about anything.”
Hair has outlived both his parents and all of his siblings, many of whom passed away in their 40s, 60s, and 70s. “I’ve more than doubled some of their lives,” he told me with a smile. He served our country from August 1942 to March 1946 as a Seaman First Class (V-6) in the U.S. Navy Reserve during World War II. During his service, he operated a flight simulator and volunteered to fly whenever he was needed. His decorations include the Victory Medal, theAmerican Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
Today, Mr. Hair resides at the Sulphur Veterans Home, where his presence continues to make an impact.
But what stands out most about Mr. Hair isn’t just his longevity or even his service— it’s his outlook on life. He still loves to sing and has led songs and Bible studies at his daughter’s nursing home. He plays Scrabble on his phone, reads regularly, and recently completed writing a book about his life—more than 800 pages.
Hair
Going Strong
Mr. Hair is quick to smile, easy to talk to, and consistently positive. Spend a few minutes with him, and it’s clear—his advice about not worrying isn’t just something he says. It’s how he lives.
