Publisher’s Note: Today, I am reminded of how important it is to reach out to those you admire most, care about most, long for most, look up to most, trust most, respect most and enjoy most. Each of those feelings describes how I felt about Bill Laber. I was shocked to learn this morning that Bill passed away on Friday. I remain dazed, angry, confused, deeply saddened and remorseful that I hadn’t seen him in person in more than a year. We communicated often, almost every week if not more, but e-mail and phone calls are never enough.
Bill was simply the nicest, most gentlemanly man ever to purvey the automotive aftermarket landscape. Anyone who reads this news item today and knew Bill the way I did would whole-heartedly agree. Anyone who didn’t know him will (hopefully) be reminded of the greatest people they’ve ever interacted with throughout their lives, and hopefully each and every one of you will take the time today to reach out and communicate with those people … alive or dead.
I met Bill in 1992, when he was GPC’s director of Multi-Line Sales, and for the following four years we criss-crossed America (along with a band of merry manufacturers) holding sales meetings, calling on NAPA DCs, working with his regional managers and basically enjoying life through work. To me, there is no better way to get to know someone and no better way to build a true friendship.
I can recall so many single instances of inspiration, jubilation, determination and accomplishment, but those times are best remembered in summary. Because, in looking back, the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. And, that is all due to Bill.
Bill single-handedly, and in his own, low-key but highly effective way, drove us, inspired us, taught us, humored us, prepared us, and (most importantly) led us to great success! He was the quintessential “band” leader, and what a band we were!
Bill had many successes throughout his life, most of which revolve around his family and his fishing. However, he left one helluva mark on the automotive aftermarket as well. He was a Champion spark plug guy, a GPC warhorse, and an N.A. Williams specialty player among many other things. He was awesome, he was an icon, he was a father figure, he was a confidant, he was simply one of the greatest assets our great industry ever had … and I will sorely miss him.
Bill sent our little e-mail group a message last Monday. It was titled, “Your Morning Cup of Joy.” Bill enthusiastically instructed us to “turn the sound way up!” When you click on the link, a little mouse pops out of a coffee cup and sings “Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog (Joy to the World).” When it was over, the message read “Wishing You a Joyful Day!” That was Bill. That’s how he operated. Four days before his death, he was wishing me a joyful day …
I didn’t respond.
Here’s the link he sent …
Today, in memory of Bill, please send this link to the people most important to you. Spread the joy, the way Bill did for his 66 years here on earth!
— Jon Owens, publisher, aftemarketNews, Counterman, BodyShop Business
Bill Laber, 66, Focused on Life’s Simple Pleasures
Family photo — When he wasn’t fishing, Bill Laber savored Krispy Kreme doughnuts, spicy food and kicking back at home.
From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For years, W. “Bill” Laber resisted the lure of the Krispy Kreme hot light. Always careful to watch fat and calories, Laber pronounced the Southern delicacies to be off limits.
When he finally tried one he relented and would polish them off by the dozen.
“He ate his first Krispy Kreme doughnut at age 64 and quickly made up for missing 63 years,” Laber’s daughter-in-law, Julia Laber of Atlanta, said. “That was his new passion. He watched calories and fat, but that was his one indulgence.”
Laber, 66, died at his Berkeley Lake residence Friday after a chronic illness. He had long suffered from hemophilia and other conditions, but retained an upbeat outlook, said Ms. Laber, who is married to Laber’s son Jim Laber. The funeral will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill.
Laber’s first grandchild dubbed him “Papa Willie” more than two decades ago, and the name stuck. Mr. Laber in turn made up nicknames for his own children, his grandchildren — even the neighborhood pets. His home was christened “The Kickback,” reflecting Laber’s easygoing manner and the warm welcome he extended his guests.
“He was a very accomplished cook,” Ms. Laber said. “He had very creative ways to omit fat and calories.”
Born in Arizona, Laber liked cooking with cilantro and other spices. He preferred a jalapeno in his martini. He walked with a limp from a childhood surgery but told people it was from an old rodeo accident.
“He was a phenomenal artist,” Ms. Laber said. He would send handmade cards on birthdays, decorated with a bouquet of flowers and signed “Grins.”
“He loved to eat, drink and be merry,” she said.
Laber worked in the automotive industry. He was transferred here 25 years ago, settling in Berkeley Lake. He loved to fish and dreamed of owning a bait shop one day.
“He had the most unique disposition of any individual I’d ever known,” said his companion, Shirley Bruno of Lawrenceville. “Our two personalities meshed. We’d sit for hours and have long talks. He could always make you feel like you were on top of the world.”
The two often traveled, but even a simple night at home was special. And of course they’d make regular excursions to Mr. Laber’s favorite new destination, Krispy Kreme.
“He could not resist,” Ms. Bruno said. “We would only go when the hot sign was on.”
Other survivors include his mother, Gwen Laber of AZ; another son, Mike Laber of Ojai, CA; a sister, Barbara Airey of AZ; and four grandchildren.
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