I just received a note from Bev Holbrook and it is with great sympathy that I have to inform you long time Ford employee Bill Holbrook, father of the Talladega, passed away on October 20, 2017. If you click on the link provided it will take you to previous articles provided by Bill regarding the creation of the Talladega. You may also remember Bill as the creator of the Road Runner/Coyote “Beep Beep Your Ass” decal.
Bill and I had communicated on several occasions regarding his attending one of our Talladega Spoiler Family Reunions. He always hoped and intended to attend but slipping health in recent years always seemed to make it impossible.
It is sadly ironic that the same day Bill passed on we enthusiasts were gathering in Tennessee for the kick off of this year’s Reunion to celebrate the Talladega and Spoiler II!
Let this be one more reminder for all of us that life is short and the time is growing near when we will no longer have the “men who were there” with us to tell their stories. It is so important that we document as much of this history as we can, now while we still have some of the resources still with us. If given the opportunity, let us thank each of them one more time for their contributions to the events and creations we so passionately treasure.
Below is Bill’s obituary.
Holbrook
William Louis age 90, passed away on October 20, 2017. Beloved husband of 63 years to Beverly. Loving father of Lisa (Joe J.) Wash and the late William L. Cherished grandfather of Joe W. Wash. Dearest brother of Thomas B., the late Roy, and sister-in-law Jean McEachran. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, and those who knew him. William was a U.S. Navy WWII veteran, worked for Ford for 30 years, and was a proud member of Ford motor company race group. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Leader Dogs for the Blind, 1039 S. Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307.
Published in The Detroit News & Detroit Free Press on Oct. 29, 2017
I was able to meet Mr. Holbrook and set in on a few of his racer’s luncheons. He was always willing to share information about the first Talladega and the way the T’s came about. He will be missed by many and his death is a great loss to the Talladega world.