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Mystery wallet's history shocks homeowner after 58 years

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- "His name is Robert Lee Williams, out of Fredericksburg, Virginia."

That's a name Kelly Smith won't soon forget, reports CBS Greensboro, N.C. affiliate WFMY-TV.

It all started a few weeks ago when her husband, Christopher, found a wallet in their basement ceiling.

"I was intrigued because it wasn't an owner of the house or previous owner and it was in Virginia, so I was curious to how it got here."

The wallet didn't have any money inside - but it was rich in history. And clues.

Smith decided she had to find the owner.

She started searching online - and within a day, had some answers.

"It was just kind of like, 'No way!' I couldn't believe it. I only messaged two people on Facebook when I found names and I got his daughter-in-law."

From her, Smith learned that Robert Williams, now 78, had his wallet stolen from him at a gas station in Virginia 58 years ago.

After all this time, Smith figured it only made sense to return it.

"I wrote him a letter to go with the wallet just so they would have a story -- just because who's going to believe it, right?"

Then, Williams wrote back.

"The whole thing amazes me how people can find out so much about you," Williams told WFMY. "But I'm glad she did. And I've enjoyed talking to her."

"I'm looking at stuff ... that Kelly sent. My drivers permit. A picture of me, it was my girlfriend at the time and we got married, we were married 50 and a half years."

He sent Smith an updated picture, and now, it's a memory for her family.

As for whether anything else is hidden in the house, "That has yet to be determined," Smith said.

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