From Detroit Free Press
A Greenville man whose family founded what now is called Tower Automotive LLC has died.
The Marshall Funeral Home said Ray Tower II died in his sleep Wednesday at 90.
Tower Automotive was established in 1874 as R.J. Tower Iron Works. The Daily News reports it was Greenville’s first manufacturer.
Tower started working there in the 1930s. He took over the business from his father in 1959 and retired in 1983. The company was sold in 1994. It’s now based in Livonia, Mich., and has more than 8,000 employees.
Ray Tower’s first wife, Susan, died in 1953. His second wife, Mary, died last Aug. 4. Survivors include six children.
A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at First Congregational Church in Greenville.
