Madera County, CA – The Madera County Supervisors presented a proclamation to the first known couple in the county’s history to celebrate their 80^th wedding anniversary. Supervisor Rob Poythress delivered the proclamation to Bill and Beatrice Jones during a special event held at Cogir Cedar Creek Senior Living with all their friends. Bill and Bea, (as known by her friends) were married on December 23, 1945, in Harrisburg, Arkansas. Bill, who will be 99 years young in April, and Bea, who just celebrated her 99^th birthday, have been living out their golden years in Madera County for over two decades now. According to recent records, Bill and Bea’s 80^th wedding anniversary marks just the fourth time in California history a couple has reached this rare milestone. In fact, it’s so rare that only one in six million people live long enough to celebrate it.

Bill and Bea say their secret to 80 years of bliss is a lot of give and take and to never, ever go to bed angry.

Alexan Balekian
Director of Communications
County Administration
Alexan.Balekian@maderacounty.com
(559) 675-7703