William H. Lauer

William was born on March 31, 1926 to Henry Lauer and Violet Warner. He passed away in Romulus, Michigan while on a business/pleasure trip on August 5th 2011. Bill is survived by his personal caregiver Oun Salman, longtime business partner Robert McAtee and numerous friends. He was a graduate of Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw Michigan and the University of Michigan. He began his working career with American Automobile Association of Southern California in 1950 where he held numerous sales awards. In 1963 he left AAA to found Custom Auto Service, now the oldest restoration facility for Packards and other fine cars in the western US. In 1964 he started Packards International, a worldwide organization for enthusiasts of the Packard Automobile, serving as President and Editor for many years helping to set the high standards for which the organization is known. Packards International now has many regions both in the United States and foreign nations. Bill worked with the United States Bicentennial Commission on having Packard designated as the official bicentennial automobile for the nation's 1976 celebrations. He moved to Durango, Colorado in 1993 to start the Grand Motorcar Automotive Museum which he operated until moving to Phoenix in 2004. While in Durango, he was also active in the Animas Music Festival helping to host some of the events at the museum. In June of this year, he was the recipient of the James C. Leake Lifetime Achievement Award to the collector car hobby. Bill enjoyed many interests including music, travel, writing extensively for the antique auto hobby, and good friendships. He very much enriched the many lives he encountered. A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 20th from 10am to 12noon followed by a noon funeral service, entombment will follow in the mausoleum at Paradise Memorial Gardens.