100-year-old billiards player, World War II veteran finds new life at pool hall

PELHAM, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) – A World War II veteran in Alabama still drives himself to go do what he loves the most at 100 years old.

Ed Gill still goes to play pool at Poppa G’s Billiards in Pelham five days a week.

When asked about how he has come to live such a long life, Gill said he has no secret.

“God has taken care of me,” he said. “As I look back over my life, I thought I was making decisions. God was leading me in everything I did.”

Gill has lived numerous lives over his lifetime. After serving with the Navy during World War II, he worked as an air traffic controller.

He also married his sweetheart Doris around that time.

“Back in the 40’s, pool halls had a bad reputation,” Gill said. “My wife said, ‘You don’t need to be in the pool room.’ So for sixty years, I didn’t shoot a game. I honored my wife’s wishes.”

Gill eventually lost his wife in 2013 after 67 years of marriage.

“My daughter came to me and said, ‘You’re not going to sit around and do nothing,’” Gill said. “So she brought me to the pool hall.”

For Gill, who everyone knows now as “Mr. Ed,” it was like riding a bicycle.

“I was beating her and she had been to Vegas for the World Championships twice. So, the next day, I found out I was on her team,” Gill said. “She drafted me.”

Since then, Gill has built up a reputation, garnering numerous accolades in his division and competing in the World Championships in Vegas twice. His last time was at age 99. He said he does not play well, but his reputation precedes him.

“There are people who do not want to play me,” Gill said. “They’ll tell their captains, ‘Don’t play me if he’s playing.’”

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