DOYLE "BILL" BADER
Doyle "Bill" Bader, 89, a 51-year resident of the county died on August 21, 2009 at home in San Bernardino, California. Bill was born in Long Beach June 12 1920 like his brother Frank Bader to Cleo Phipps Bader and Doyle Wright Bader and was raised in Wilmington, California. His father was the general manager at Consolidated Lumber in Wilmington. He graduated from Banning High School in 1938 where he was on the football team and was involved with cheerleading and drama and played trumpet in "Bill Bader's Swing Band". Bill was Master Counselor of Demolay in 1939 at the Lodge 198 in Wilmington and in 1941 was Chevalier-Mason and Shriner. He attended Long Beach and Compton Junior College where he met his future wife Harriet to whom he was married June 25, 1942.
Bill served his country from 1942-1945 in the U.S. Coast Guard on an Air Rescue Boat. After his service he began his Automotive Career as a salesman at Del Dryer (later Fred Gledhill) Chevrolet in Wilmington where he became Sales Manager in 1950. In 1958 Bill became the Chevrolet Dealer in Fontana, and has owned Crest Chevrolet in San Bernardino since 1968. Bill was one of the original Board of Directors of the Bank of San Bernardino (1980), Past President of California Association of New Car Dealers (1988) and was two term president of National Chevrolet Dealer Counsel (1970-72) and was a finalist in the Time Dealer of the Year (2001).
Bill was a long time supporter of Arrowhead United Way. He loved to travel the world with his wife and was an exceptional businessman. He was loyal to his employees and loved golfing, fishing, and he was an avid Yachtsman. He was very active and supported many charities. Bill organized and led the Auto Show of San Bernardino, was a member of the Arrowhead Country Club and Indian Wells Country Club.
Bill is survived by wife, Harriet Bader; sons, Douglas and Robert (Pat) Bader; daughter, Cheryl (George) Bedford; grandchildren, Mark, Patrick, Danielle, Wesley, Brian, David and Allison; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel, 1299 E. Highland Ave., in San Bernardino, with a Private interment to follow.
In Lieu of Flowers donations may be made in Bill's name to the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent on-line at www.bobbittchapel.com.
Published in Los Angeles Times on August 26, 2009