W.F. “Bill” Chisholm
Born in Nova Scotia in 1932, Bill Chisholm moved to Windsor with his family at the age of ten.
Bill’s first full time job after high school delivering milk may have helped hone his people skills, but it wasn’t in-line with his aspirations and ambition. Opportunity knocked at Bill’s door in 1955 when he was able to secure a job as brake tester on the assembly line working for Chrysler Canada.
Evening typing classes enabled him to work his way into the data processing department and gave Bill the foot in the door that he needed. Eventually Bill worked his way into becoming National Sales Manager for Chrysler Canada, where he travelled the country working with Chrysler dealers and getting the bug to be his own boss.
In 1974, at the age of 41, Bill resigned from Chrysler Canada to pursue his dream of operating a car dealership, giving up over 20 years of seniority. He accepted the position of Vice President and General Manager of a local Chrysler Dodge franchise. During Bill’s first two years at the Chrysler dealership, the sales volume more than doubled.
Still in pursuit of a business that he could all his own; Bill, his wife Amelia, and their three youngest children set out for Kitchener, Ontario where he became the owner and Dealer Principal of a Chrysler Plymouth dealership. After five years in Kitchener, Bill became aware of the opportunity to purchase a Ford franchise in Windsor. Unable to resist the prospect of returning to the hometown that he loved, Bill and Amelia uprooted the family to join the Ford Motor Company’s family of authorized dealers.
In 1981 when interest rates were high and many automotive dealerships were struggling, Bill purchased a Ford franchise in Windsor, Ontario and Rose City Ford Sales Limited was born – and since that time has served as the leading Ford dealership in the area. On June 1, 1981, with 47 dedicated employees, Bill founded Rose City Ford Sales Limited. He had chosen the name of his new endeavour in honour of his beloved “City of Roses”. The dealership quickly established a reputation for honesty, integrity, and superior customer satisfaction.
In the fall of 1996, Bill and Amelia chose to retire and their son John is now the proud owner and operator of Rose City Ford. Today, the dealership’s list of loyal customers continues to expand and flourish and the business has become a city landmark and loyal supporter of the community. Facility and equipment upgrades continue to ensure that the franchise remains fresh and cutting edge with each passing year.
Today, at the age of 85 Bill enjoys a vibrant and healthy life with his wife and large extended family, proud of the successful “city of roses” landmark that he created with integrity and heart.
Bill Chisholm attended Assumption College in Windsor and the Ivey Business School at Western University.
Sources:
http://www.rosecityford.com/dealer-info/dealership-information.html#aboutus