USI's plant whisperer to retire in July

The excitement of big city Evansville and a pretty girl named Brenda was all it took to lure 17-year-old Willie Dortch from the Tennessee farm he grew up on. Until then, his life had revolved around his 12 siblings and hard-working parents. His father owned a tobacco farm while blacksmithing on the side. His mother, musically-inclined, kept the family in line while tending a garden and performing miracles in the kitchen.

Willie came back to the farm to help hang the tobacco after that fateful trip to Evansville and told his mother he'd met the woman of his dreams. He said goodbye to the country life, and to riding on his father's mule-driven wagon, and said hello to driving a gold Mercury Montega with a black rag top that his wife taught him to drive. 

In Evansville, he worked a variety of jobs, often working two at once. Before coming to USI, he worked at the Indian Summer Vinegar Factory on the corner of Walnut and Canal streets in Evansville. He remembers it being a very physically demanding job. When the company was sold, he came to work as a custodian for USI's Physical Plant.

While working in the Orr Center, he noticed some potted plants needed extra care, and volunteered to nurse them back to health. Caring for the plants made his custodial duties more pleasant. He also noticed that people enjoyed seeing the plants thrive.

By the time his job duties moved him to the Wright Administration Building, he was USI's unofficial "plant whisperer." People began bringing their sickly plants to him. Soon he had so many, he had to set up a table in front of a sunny window in a Forum Wing hallway. One table became three and a garden oasis was born. He inherited LaVerne the Fern, a gift from USI's first first lady, Betty Rice, in 1969. LaVerne lived in the Office of the President for nearly 40 years, but she needed attention. Today, LaVerne is the centerpiece of Willie's garden spot.

In his 25 years at USI, Willie has made quite a family for himself. Lunchtime finds him and his co-workers in the Loft laughing and talking. "Oh yes," Willie reflects. "I'm going to miss my friends from the Physical Plant. It's lovely working here. When I first started, I wasn't sure I would blend in, but it's a good atmosphere. We're all like family. We argue and fuss, then make up and laugh together. It's been a real party." He also has liked the energy he receives from the students at USI. "They're so fun to talk to and they make me feel young!"

Today, Willie is giving his plants to friends and family at USI. His goal is to find all of them a happy home before he retires in July. He'll take four small orange trees and a rubber tree plant home, and is certain he'll find someone to adopt LaVerne. He believes with all the history LaVerne has been a part of, her home should be at USI.

Like his hard-working father, retirement will keep Willie busy. He's already lined up work baking pies for a small catering company called Granny's Pies. Musically-inclined, like his mother, he'll finally take guitar lessons after years of playing by ear.  And he looks forward to spending time with his large family, which includes his wife, two children, grandchildren and foster children. "I like to keep busy, it keeps your mind young," he said.