It could have been a bitter wind hitting his eyes, but Ed Erbach may have had a few tears on Friday when he was talking about his retirement.

For more than 45 years, he’s worked for Walter’s Citgo Station, starting when he was just 18.

For years a thriving business in Downtown Conway at Oak and Locust, the station has been sold, says Dee Ann Walter Davis, who with her mother, Virginia Walter, has operated the enterprise since the death of her dad, Martin Walter.

There’s a sign outside, marking the 57th anniversary of the station.

“Mother and I said we would keep going as long as Ed stayed with us,” Dee Ann said Friday.

Erbach has been the provider of full service — check the oil, check the tires, check the anti-freeze, clean the windows — for all those years.

New tires or an oil change were part of his service as needed.

It was hard work in all weather.

Erbach will be 64 in February, and mentioned that he’ll get his first Social Security check soon after that.

He says he’ll keep busy, perhaps in his workshop at home.

But now it’s time to stay home, he said, maybe have a second cup of coffee.

It’s been a long time coming.

(Staff writer Becky Harris can be reached at becky.harris@thecabin.net and 505-1234.)