Olive Branch couple celebrates seven decades of married bliss
Photo: From left, Shirley and Bill Van Dyke listen to comments from Immanuel Baptist Church pastor Dr. Stan May during a celebration of the Van Dyke’s 70th wedding anniversary on Saturday, July 19. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
July 20, 2025 – You likely have heard these words recited during the course of a wedding ceremony:
“…to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better for worse, for richer for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part.”
Assuming those same words were used in the wedding ceremony of William and Shirley Van Dyke on July 23, 1955, the couple probably didn’t think the clock would still be ticking on the “till death do us part” line 70 years later. But they’re glad they are both still together and they are able to celebrate seven decades of marriage, as they did this past weekend.
So are the friends and family who came to their church, Immanuel Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Saturday afternoon for a 70th anniversary celebration. They filled the church’s fellowship room for cake, punch and conversation about what the Van Dykes have meant to them and to the church.
Married in Virginia, the Van Dykes came to Memphis in 1986, moving to their home in Olive Branch one year later. William was very adept at mechanics, spending 25 years as a mechanic in the Air Force, then another 25 years working for airlines, first with Southern Airways then continuing with Republic Airlines.
Part of Bill’s time in the Air Force was spent during the Vietnam conflict.
The Van Dykes raised two children: Chris, who lives in northwest Arkansas, and Kathy, who has a residence on her parents’ property in Olive Branch.
Shirley reflected that the wedding in 1955 was a small, simple one and was done by the same pastor who married her parents.
They did not expect to live this long, initially doubting they’d make it to even 50 years, but Shirley said it’s been a good life for them.
“We’ve got along well and we just enjoy each other,” she said. “When you are married, you got to get along with your husband or your wife and you’ve got to enjoy them. You can’t be arguing and carrying on all the time.”
The Van Dykes also said their long married life is due to the hand of God and the Lord’s protection. Immanuel Baptist Church pastor Dr. Stan May said he could attest to that through the 25 years he has known the Van Dyke family.
May said Bill served as church treasurer for 15 years and Shirley worked in the church kitchen for as many as 17 years.
May added that Bill would use his mechanic expertise in helping others with their automobiles.
“He would fix people’s cars for free,” May said. “When he retired, he would help people. He just wanted to serve people.”
May called the love between Bill and Shirley a genuine love.
“They’re just always a gracious couple and so much fun to be with,” May said. “You can tell they truly love and care for each other and watch out for each other. We love them a lot.”
May also credited the Van Dykes for their ability to help a younger generation move into church leadership roles as they graciously stepped aside.
Now at age 89, the Van Dykes look forward to more years together with great expectations of what’s ahead and with great memories of the life they have shared now over 70 years as a married couple.
