Bill Malone came from a family of military servicemembers. When he left his Los Angeles high school in 1945 to join the Navy, he became one of his seven brothers to enlist. According to The Norman Transcript, the 87-year-old served in World War II on the USS Independence and participated in post-war nuclear bomb detonation tests.
Malone joined the service before he could receive his high school diploma, but he dedicated years of his time in life after service as a Deputy Sheriff in Los Angeles to helping dropouts earn their own diplomas. In 2005, when he was diagnosed with cancer from the nuclear testing he helped with, Malone moved to Norman, Oklahoma, to live with family. On Sept. 30, Malone was made an official graduate of Norman High School and was awarded his diploma at the graduation ceremony.
"Typically we're trying to find words to inspire (our students) to live a life of sacrifice, a life of concern for others, a life of commitment, a life of courage, a life of valor, a life of community, a life of country," Norman High School Principal Scott Beck told NewsOK. "What's such a great honor about this, Mr. Malone, is that we get to do this as a celebration of a life spent doing exactly those things."
Malone told The Norman Transcript that he was very honored to finally receive his high school diploma after all his years of community service. It was something he had been wanting to accomplish for many years. The reception ceremony was held at the Norman Veterans Center and Malone's family and friends were in attendance.
The superintendent for Norman Public Schools told the news source that he hopes the ceremony will inspire other students in Oklahoma and around the country to accomplish great things in their own lives.