By: Mary E. Mortimer
Wilfred “Willie” Yoder was Santa to Logan County children for at least fifty years.
Yoder was born in March 1935 to Elbert and Dorothy Esch Yoder. He spent his childhood in West Liberty and graduated from West Liberty High School in 1953. That same year, Yoder was asked by a friend to suit up like Santa and greet children at Figley’s Drug Store. He really enjoyed being Santa and the tradition continued each year after that until he retired.
Yoder portrayed Santa at schools, restaurants, various functions, and at West Liberty’s Christmas celebrations. He had all the makings of a real Santa with his deep voice and jolly laughter. In a typical year, he talked to between 500 and 700 kids, although in 2003, he lightened his schedule to about 400. That year, he estimated he would visit 16 different places.
Yoder said, when wearing the Santa hat, he had to be quick on his feet. Children are very observant, and he had to anticipate all kinds of questions about Santa. For example, a little girl asked him, “we keep our door locked, so how are you going to get in?” Yoder replied, “for Santa, there are other ways.”
One of Yoder’s policies was never to make promises to a child about gifts. However, if a parent gave a wink or made a sign that the child was going to receive the gift, he did compromise his rule. Yoder always told each child that Santa loved them. He said, “You have to be able to love every child who comes to you. For many of these kids, it may be the only time of year that they hear those words.”
Yoder also experienced some heartbreaking requests from children. He recalled a little girl who came running up to him crying and said, “all I want for Christmas is my Mommy back.” He felt so helpless.
Other children amazed him with their generosity and compassion for others. A little boy about 7 years old who was wearing clean, but worn-out overalls, said “Santa, you don’t have to bring anything for me, but my sister would really like to have a doll. Can you bring her a doll?”
Over the years, toys and fads changed, but not Yoder’s affinity for the job. He never charged for being Santa because he truly loved playing the role.
Along with being Santa Claus, Yoder worked as a butcher at Esch’s Meats and was the owner of Yoder Aluminum Products for fifty years. His store sold siding, awnings, windows, and other home improvement products. In May 1960, Yoder married Hilda Lehman, and they had two daughters, Arnita and Melinda.
Around 1976, the Yoders opened The House of Animation at 101 N. Detroit St. in West Liberty. The display featured a hand-carved farm scene with animals and characters that were approximately six inches in height and all animated. It was once owned by Nathan Coon and displayed at the White Cottage Park at Indian Lake. When Yoder purchased the diorama, it had been in storage for several years and the intricate works needed to be repaired. Yoder and his brother, Melvin Yoder, reworked all the mechanical engineering parts. A task that took almost a year to complete. Hilda Yoder designed and made new outfits for the characters.
The House of Animation also featured Mrs. Yoder’s vast collection of modern, antique, and unusual dolls from all over the world. She made many of the dolls and their clothing.
Yoder was also known for “Willie’s tug-of-war” at the annual Labor Day celebration at the Lion’s Park in West Liberty for over thirty years. For the contest, participants lined up on either side of the creek, got a firm grip on a rope, and tried to pull each other across the creek.
He also announced the West Liberty football, softball, and basketball games for more than 30 years.
Willie Yoder touched many lives, and thousands of children, he was the real Santa.
The History Center will be closed through January 1st for the Christmas holiday.
