Eugene Hager spent a good portion of his 94th birthday doing what he loves -- assembling bicycles at a job he started 25 years ago.

Hager, of Statesville, is currently the oldest employee at the Wal-Mart in Statesville, said store manager Scott Byers.

“He’s wonderful to work with and excellent to have around,” Byers said. “His work ethic is a presentation for younger people to model themselves after.”

Hager said he developed his work ethic as a young boy living in Pennsylvania. Working on a farm then later getting involved in carpentry and construction, his hands became his greatest asset, he said.

“He’s a very resourceful man who made do with what he had,” said Hager’s son, Bobby. “He can fix anything.”

Four days a week, Hager can be found at the Wal-Mart between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., listening to country music on his shoebox-sized radio while assembling everything from bicycles to lawnmowers. He can fix or assemble things in minutes, he said.

At 94, there are times when his feet become tired from standing long periods of time, he said. But his driven attitude keeps him going.