Following the first Gulf War to free Kuwait, United States Army Reserve Sergeant William Coakley civilian job eas that of a plumber in Oklahoma City. Extremely quiet and humble, Sergeant Coakley was always studying plumbing books. He completed a very difficult two year plumbing course receiving a diploma that his wife framed and mounted on their apartment wall. As his First Sergeant examined the document his eyes were drawn to another set of documents. It was Sergeant Coakley’s Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mathematics and Physics.
On his return from the war, Sergeant Coakley, due a slow dow down in requests for plumbers, was laid off by his employer. Checking with other plumbing businesses in the area, he found nothing. For a year and a half, Sergeant Coakley submitted more than 400 resumes mostly on the websites set up for job seekers. Not giving up, Sergeant Coakley went to visit with a counselor working for the State Employment Service. The veteran’s counselor recommended Sergeant Coakley extend his areas of interest and knowledge to include the areas of drafting, geology, meterology and physics.
Within two weeks, Sergeant Coakley received seven dates for interviews. “I am going to hire Bill as a geologists even tough he has never worked a day as a geologist.” His new employer never considered that he could be re-deployed. When asked why he hired him anyway, the employer reported: “His thirst for knowledge, his willingness to be taught new things as well as his willness to go the extra mile. Bill’s faith in God didn’t hurt either!”
Sergeant Coakley remained steadfast in his love for plumbing. Although he had an additional deployment, his employer held his position for him. On his return, Sergeant Coakley within less than three years became a partner and part owner of the geology business. Through Sergeant Coakley’s effort, the business grew to be a major geological business earning more than 30 billion dollars worth of business employing more than 150 additional persons.
Prayer: Almighty God help me be one who seeks wisdom, patience and faith in You. Help me
build my life on Your principles for a fulfilled life. Amen.
