Billyjoe Agans – A Life Rooted in Hard Work and Community

I was raised in the heart of the central United States, surrounded by cornfields, creeks, and hollers. Growing up in a farm community taught me the value of hard work and self-reliance. Whether it was raising livestock, baling hay, harvesting crops, fishing, hunting, or maintaining the homestead, there was always something that needed doing — and someone close by to encourage, mentor, or lend a hand. There was always something that needed fixing.

Within the community, there were folks we called the tinker men. Young tinker men with perseverance, willing to stick with it all night long so the farmer down the road could get his crops harvested. Middle-aged tinker men with the experience and drive to figure out how to fix the problem — not just their own, but anyone’s who asked, no matter how big or small. And the older tinker men, who carried the knowledge of all those who came before them — men who had been there, done that, and built the barn to prove it. They still had Grandpa’s tools, and they sure knew how to use them.

Life in our small community wasn’t about status or wealth. Regardless of what financial class we belonged to, we all shared the same rhythm of living — one centered on faith, family, and caring for our neighbors. It was a place where people looked out for one another, and where hard work and integrity weren’t just values, but a way of life.

Those early lessons shaped who I am today: dependable, grounded, and committed to doing my part, wherever I’m planted. But the one thing we didn’t have growing up was a vacation. Sure, we’d take time off work and go to a festival, flea market, or the county fair. But when we went somewhere for what we called a “vacation,” it was usually to pick up equipment or visit family out of town — always within a day’s drive.

Back then, before the internet was common, we’d sit and listen to the veterans tell stories about their time in the military — stories of England, Paris, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and beyond. They’d share photos and keepsakes, and those stories became the highlight of the evening. They brought joy to the storyteller and to everyone listening. But for most of us, that kind of adventure wasn’t reality — not unless we joined the armed forces, which some did, though not everyone could.

Now, I find myself among the tinker men — the ones who keep things running and help others in the community make memories of their own. The stories being told today sound a little different. They begin with, “This is good Mexican food, but let me tell you about eating tacos in Mexico.” Or when someone sees the news showing a volcano erupting in Hawaii, they say, “We saw that when we were there.” Even a glimpse of a cruise ship brings back, “That reminds me of our last trip.”

And that’s something special — to help create the kind of stories that others will tell for years to come.

My name is Billyjoe Agans, with Tinker Man Travels — just a poor farm kid who figured out how to travel the world. There’s nothing you can’t do as long as you put your mind to it.

What stories do you want to tell? What places do you want to see? I’m here to help you along the way. I may not have all the answers, and your dream vacation might seem out of reach, but together we can tinker around until we find something that works for you. A vacation doesn’t have to be expensive — it just has to be full of joy, laughter, and good memories.