Uncle Willie Flittman
Willie is Evy's husband. Willie feels he is a failure, since even his horse does not respect him. He never understands that his abuse of the horse is why the horse urinates on Willie. Unlike Johnny, Willie does not drink, but he is also a dreamer who longs to escape. After Willie becomes a one-man band, he disappears from his family.
John/Steve
John is Sissy's third (and last) husband. His real name is Steve, although readers do not learn his name until near the end of the novel. Like Sissy's previous husbands, Steve lets Sissy do things her way, including calling him John. He eventually asserts himself, insists that he be called Steve, and demands that Sissy marry him in a church, since he knows that this is the only way she will consider their marriage real.
Sergeant Michael McShane
McShane asks Katie to marry him after the proper mourning period to honor his first wife has ended. He is a retired policeman and a successful politician. McShane is a good man and deserving of Katie's love. He married a young unmarried pregnant girl to save her and her family shame and was a faithful husband until his wife's death. He is wealthy enough that there is no doubt that Katie and her youngest child, Laurie, will not have to struggle to survive. He is also generous and offers to pay for Francie's and Neeley's college education.
Mr. McGarrity
McGarrity owns the bar where Johnny drinks. He loves Johnny, especially the way that Johnny talks to McGarrity. McGarrity is lonely; his wife and children never talk to him, but Johnny knows how to have a real conversation. McGarrity envies Johnny, who has the kind of family that McGarrity wishes he possessed. After Johnny dies, McGarrity helps Katie by giving after-school jobs to Francie and Neeley. He knows that Katie will never accept charity, but by employing Johnny's children, McGarrity tries to keep his connection to Johnny alive.
