Bill Ziegler, longtime president of Massillon, Ohio-based Ziegler Tire & Supply Co. recently died. He was 75 years old.
Born to Herbert and Gervasa Ziegler, Bill, after graduating from The Ohio State University and working as an accountant, joined Ziegler Tire, his family’s business, in 1975.
Bill became president of Ziegler Tire in 1999. Under his direction, the dealership, which was founded in 1919, has grown to encompass nearly 30 stores and three distribution centers across multiple states.
“Bill is a true leader,” Harold Ziegler Jr., then Ziegler Tire’s assistant treasurer, told MTD in 2009 after Bill was named MTD’s Tire Dealer of the Year.
Harold credited Bill with being the catalyst behind the company’s growth and success.
Ziegler Tire’s employees “look up to him. They know (Bill is) responsible for keeping the company together and he’s done a darn good job.”
“There’s a presence about him that when you step between the lines for that game every morning at 7 o’clock, you know what you have to do,” John Ziegler Jr., vice president of Ziegler Tire, said about Bill. “You’re doing it for him, but he’s doing it for the company.”
“Relationships are very important to Bill – not only with the tire manufacturer, but with the consumer and even his community,” said John Baratta, then-president, consumer replacement tire sales, for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC.
“Bill is the type of person you’re proud to be friends with,” Francois Corbin, chief operating officer for Michelin Americas Truck Tires, also told MTD in 2009. “He has very strong personal values, ethics and credibility.”
Bill is survived by Diana Ziegler, his wife of 14 years; daughters, Taylor and Courtney; sons, Patrick (Kelly) and Kyle; grandchildren, Payton (Erin) and Kendall; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held on Feb. 3 in Canton, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the Ziegler family says donations can be made to Pathway Caring for Children at pathwaycfc.org.
