President Obama recognizes 60-year plant employee during speech at Detroit Diesel

Redford Township, MI (WXYZ) - President Obama recognized a worker who has spent 60 years at Detroit Diesel during his speech at the plant in Redford Township.

"The only time he's spent away from the plant was when he was serving our country in the Korean war," said President Obama.

Three generations of Willie's family have passed through Detroit Diesel as employees.

The President explained  he wasn't born when Willie started working at the plant on Telegraph Road in 1952.

"They actually call him 'Pretty Willie,'" Obama said. "Now I have to say you have to be pretty tough to have a nickname like 'Pretty Willie.'"

Carter told 7 Action News the nickname dates back to his military service.

"It really surprised me," Carter said of the presidential shout-out. "I didn't expect that but I'm glad it happened, it'll give me a little more popularity."

On Wednesday, the plant is throwing a party to celebrate Carter's milestone anniversary.