It is with deep regret that I have to write that Bill Colson, the founder of Holiday Retirement Corporation and Colson & Colson Construction, passed away yesterday after a battle with cancer. Bill was an industry leader and pioneer, an early backer of the American Seniors Housing Association, one of the “good guys” in the industry and a friend to many of us. Perhaps a good description of Bill would be to call him a gentle giant, a giant in the industry and among his peers, but a gentle man about whom we have never heard an unkind thing said over his 40 years in the business. And that says something. Bill was revered by his employees, who thought they were part of a large family, and had the utmost respect of his peers in the industry. But above all, he was a family man, devoted to his wife, Bonnie, and two sons, Bart and Brad, who worked in business with him much like Bill did with his father when the two of them started out together back in the 1960s. Bill will be missed by all of us, but he will never be forgotten. He was truly one of a kind.
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Mel Gamzon said,
May 21, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
Steve: You are so correct. Bill was a giant to many of us and a mentor who only saw the goodness in just about everything. We did lots of acquisition work with him before he started his large-scale, new construction endeavors.
He was quick in decisions, but always sensitive to everyone at “the table”.
He will be missed, but never forgotten.
Mel Gamzon,President
Senior Housing Investment Advisors, Inc.
Greg Roderick said,
May 21, 2007 @ 8:15 pm
I was so deeply saddened by this news of the passing of Bill Colson. My brother, Jeff, whom is the Resident Relations Director at Holiday Retirement Corp. in Salem, Oregon just called to inform me that Bill died of cancer on Sunday, May 20, 2007. Fortunately, Bill’s Legacy shall live on.
As many of you may know, Bill Colson and my father, Ron Roderick, began their careers together as partners by teaming up with Mr. Carl Campbell (Wenatchee, Washington) and later splitting to pursue their respective interests: Bill with Holiday Retirement and my father with Roderick Enterprises. As you know, Bill’s road was paved with many challenges and many successes. Ultimately, due to Bill’s focus and drive – he was tremendously successful with all that he touched.
Bill has been an icon in the seniors housing industry and his many viewpoints are the guiding lights to so many people and companies. His vision of creating a community that was attractive and affordable with good services in all markets was realized and continues to do so today. He enjoyed planes, cars and tractors and had a wonderful way of making people feel good when he was around.
After my father passed away in 1988, I immediately went to Bill seeking some sort of employment. He did not hire me but gave me an opportunity to interview with a Regional Manager and a couple who managed Edgewood Place in Beaverton as the Co-Manager (in 1989). I grew up working for Holiday for 6-years. I remember traveling with Bill to many cities in many states and having a 3am meal at the Waffle House in Montgomery, Alabama. There are so many great stories of Bill…countless. Bill and his team gave me focus, skills, business savvy and understanding and ethics. Fortunately, I had the chance to work for him, beside him and eventually become a partner in several developments.
Bill was a true mentor and hero to me. His style of management, generosity and equal opportunity for all employees was tremendous. He was a good man, boss, friend and leader. He always made time for anyone whom stepped into his office. We last spoke in Chicago in early Fall 2006 at the National Investment Center conference where we rode up an elevator – to where Bill was speaking and then we rode down again. He and I had a great connection and mutual respect that goes back so far – I cannot recall. My parents were best friends with Bill and Bonnie for many, many years and we spent a great deal of time together growing up with their boys.
Please take a moment, today, to send a wish or a prayer to the Colson family (wife Bonnie and sons Bart and Brad) and all of the thousands of people that will be affected by this loss of life and humanity. There is much pain today due to this loss and, at the same time, much to be grateful for – for knowing he and his wonderful accomplishments over the years. Bill will be deeply missed by many.
Ray Lewis said,
May 21, 2007 @ 9:05 pm
The entire senior housing industry owes a debt of gratitude to Bill Colson. As many have pointed out, he was a pioneer of the independent living business. But that is not his only legacy. Thanks to Bill hundreds of thousands of elderly have received housing and services that they could afford with their modest incomes. Tens of thousands of his employees have put roofs over the heads and food on the tables of their families. And while his accomplishments were enormous by any measure, it was his stature as a man that truly defined his greatness. He was a true gentleman who led by example, conducted himself with humility, and treated everyone who he met with respect and courtesy. He will be greatly missed.
Darrell Michel said,
May 23, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
I have been reading the accolades for Bill Colson and I couldn’t agree more. I have been working for Colson and Colson for 9+ years now as a construction manager. I have never worked with a better or more fair company. In all of my years working I have never heard one disparaging word about Bill. Mr. Colson’s philosophy, his dedication to perfection, his dedication to seniors comfort, his desire to make the people working for him comfortable and his complete generosity and honesty have made my last nine years of employment the best of my working career. I can not express enough my complete gratitude for the experiance of working for a man of his convictions and talent. My wife and I wish to express our condolences to all of Bill’s family.
Jeff Griswold said,
May 25, 2007 @ 4:11 am
“Be persistent and go after what you want!” These were some of the inspiring words that Mr. Colson gave me, a young entrepreneur that had built up enough courage to call him and ask for a meeting. He returned my call and said “sure, come on by the office right now.” For the next two hours Mr. Colson treated me as if I were the only thing on his mind. Before I met Bill, I would have told anyone who asked, such men do not exist. How do you oversee such a large enterprise as Holiday and still take the time to return the phone call of someone you barely know…let alone sit with them for two+ hours and dispense immeasurably valuable advice. I will remember my conversations with him for the rest of my life. He was a mentor, role model and hero for me and countless others.
Randy Yost said,
May 27, 2007 @ 8:54 pm
As a former manager with Holiday my wife and I had the wonderful oppotunity of meeting and working for such a wonderful person that truily walked the talked.
The senior world will miss him and heaven has welcomed home a true giant to the faith.
Larry Goodreau said,
May 31, 2007 @ 12:47 am
Bill is one of the most genuine and endearing people I have ever known. I was fortunate to first meet Bill in 1986 when his vision was just taking flight. I was able to tour and see first hand the loving care that went into these early projects. Bill made me stretch as a banker. He made me see beyond the numbers and made me realize how hard people have to sacrifice to make their dreams come true. As he continued to develop his vision and grow his holdings the one thing that remained constant was his humility and the sincerity of his words. The unbounded enthusiasm in his voice as he discussed his latest venture and what it would mean to so many people was contagious. He is indeed a most unique person, one who never forgot his roots and one who always remembered those who helped make his dreams a reality. He has left a legacy that will long be remembered in the industry, in his communities and with those left behind to carry on. Thank you Bill for allowing me to have such fond memories of such a very special person.
Echo Lin said,
June 1, 2007 @ 6:23 pm
It was a late Thursday evening, when I was collecting my mail from the mail box and a letter from Holiday Retirement Corp slipped out of my hand. I thought it must be some additional information for selling our interests. Opening the mail, I walked to the street light and read “…Bill Colson departed from this life…” What? No, the street light was not bright enough; I must have misread it… I just read the latest edition of Expounder not long ago about his award.
During my six years working at Holiday Retirement Corp, it was my privilege to ride in the corporate jet with Bill three times and get to know him personally. Bill had a photographic memory, a great story teller of events in the facilities that had happened decades ago. He was so in touch with the residents and staff in the facilities.
Bill was such a humble gentleman with great faith, extraordinary and yet ordinary. One time, we were in London, Canada for a grand opening. We arrived late Friday night and early Saturday morning, Bill was already up and had checked the church service schedule in the vicinity. We joined a local church service and I was so moved when Bill knelt down and prayed. After the service, he drove us touring around the town. Because I had a bowl of soup for breakfast, it was about the time that I needed a restroom but I did not see anything. Finally, I said “Bill, Bill, I need a break pretty bad.” He smiled and half teased, “Okay, we will find you a place.” We stopped by an ice cream shop and everybody in our group got an ice cream bar and I found my restroom.
Bill was passionate about life and reflection of everyone. He shared my joy of the birth of my son and shared the grief of the sudden loss of my mom. He always greeted you and held the door open for you when he saw you coming. I learned that wealth is not only measured by money, but most importantly by being humble and being kind to everyone.
Bill, when we are looking at those shining stars in the night sky, we will remember your kind and smiling face. What a comfort knowing that you are up there in a better place!
Bruce Dailey said,
June 4, 2007 @ 5:30 pm
I had the opportunity to be the insurance broker for Bill, Holiday Retirement and Colson & Colson Construction for almost forty years. It began in 1966 by insuring a single nursing home. Without spending too much time, I will just say that the peaks and the valleys of those years mirror the rock-solid character of Bill. We had the special relationship of sharing the same Faith in the Sabbath. On many occasions we both related our belief in answered prayer. Others have described well Bill’s special ability to make one feel you were the most important person he needed to talk to.
Over the years we had the opportunity to personally get to know many of the senior employees. We personally inspected over fifty of the facilities in the US and the UK. Marie and I particularly enjoyed assisting the HRC staff in the open-house for the new facility they built near Bistol, England. HRC, Bill, Bonnie, Jim, Norman, Dan, Mary, Nancy, Dave, and so many others, you have a permanent place in our hearts.
Bill and Bonnie raised their two sons the same time Marie and I raised our three daughters. We shared the joys of being grand-parents. The years have passed so swiftly, but the good memories will last forever. We have a wonderful faith that we will one day see Bill again, and want Bonnie, Brad and Bart to rest assured of that great hope!
David and Kim Phelan said,
June 7, 2007 @ 12:44 am
This is a copy of an email sent to Brad Colson.
Hi Brad,
I could hardly believe the news when Kurt called me yesterday. Although I was aware of how ill Bill was, I tried to hold out hope that somehow he would pull through the ordeal.
It seems like only yesterday that you and your dad visited our house after purchasing the ranch and forever changed our lives. You both brought a feeling of joy and enthusiasm to not only our lives, but all the people at Quail Valley Ranch. He was a man truly dedicated to making people’s lives better. Whether it was his wonderful generosity in bringing us fresh vegetables from the valley or building an addition on our house, he took such obvious pleasure in bringing happiness and good cheer to the many people he touched in his life.
We always looked forward to his visits and his winning smile that made our day a little better. We will miss seeing him driving the tractors, burning brush or whatever task he could find to help out with. It was good to see him so happy being here at the ranch, waving at everyone throughout the day making us feel a part of something very special. And we all know how special this place is.
Kim and I want you to know how much we cared about your father, and that he will always hold a special place, not only for all the many memories, but most importantly in our hearts.
Please pass on our condolences to all the members of your wonderful family.
Much love,
David and Kim Phelan
Quail Valley Ranch
Prineville, Oregon
Nancy and Bob Wolfenbarger said,
June 10, 2007 @ 3:39 am
How can we say all that Bill meant to us? Ever since we heard the sad news of losing him we have tried to find the right words and this has not been an easy task.
My husband, Bob, has had the privilege of being Holiday’s pilot fo the last 24 years. What wonderful memories he has had of the many flights they have gone on. Bob had the honor of being with Bill since 1983 when the company was a small handful of people and has now grown to the multitude of employees. Bill was much more than what one would call a “boss”—no…Bill was a dear friend.
As we read the other tributes about Bill it brings tears to our eyes because all is so true. He indeed had so many gifts, and we feel the greatest one was the joy that he could give to everyone. He had such a way about him to make everyone feel important and special. His smile was so genuine and his enthusiasm contagious. He always put God first in his life and his kind spirt shined through to others. Bill lived as an example of God’s love and it showed in his everyday life.
Bob and I were so fortunate for the great times with Bill and Bonnie; especially at Quail Valley Ranch in Central Oregon. Those times will always be treasured. So many fun memories such as: working together to build “the bridge”, wathching Bill’s face as the deer enjoyed the crops he had planted, seeing him smile and be so content as he drove the tractor, the beautiful Christmas party at “the barn”, the fireworks on the snow at New Years, and the special every Friday taco dinners including Bill’s special milkshakes that he made for us. Just a small sample of the many treasured times with Bill and Bonnie.
Bill and Bonnie treated us as family and our hearts ache with our human pain of losing him. They have been with us in our loss of parents and the joy of our son’s marriage. When you lose a friend that held so much kindness, wisdom and integrity as Bill, it hurts greatly. Why wouldn’t it? Who wants to lose such a blessing as Bill, but on the other hand how very blessed we were for having him in our lives.
Our sincere sympathy, prayers, and love go out to Bonnie, Bart, Brad and the rest of the Colson family. Thank you for sharing Bill with us, we will never be the same because of the love and influence on our lives that he has given to us.
Billy Colson said,
October 31, 2007 @ 3:25 am
I sure miss my Grandpa. Thanks so much for all the encouraging words. There is not a day that goes by I don’t think of him. Life sure is different nowadays. We will see him again though, someday!
Love,
Billy
Scott St. Mary said,
January 28, 2008 @ 3:07 am
I just learned today of Bill’s passing. While not close in recent years, I was saddened to hear of his passing. He truly was honest, sincere and very inspirational. Bill extended a warmth that surpassed business and was a genuine inspiration to my career. Peace be with him and his family.
Sincerely,
Scott St. Mary
Terry Friel said,
February 21, 2008 @ 5:47 am
It is with great sadness that I have learned of Bills’ passing. I had the pleasure of working for Bill and Hugh in the mid eighties as a Masonry Contractor.Bill was such a dynamic person, it was always an exciting time when Bill and company would fly into a project , he would treat us all like family and he was always so enjoyable to be around.
I had the pleasure or should I say honor of working on Bill and Bonnies personal residence in Salem in the mid eighties , as a young man with little money and no where to stay while working in Salem Bill had stay with Hugh and Faye, they took me in and made me feel like family, He even had his youngest son Brad pack hod for me that summer.
Bill Colson is without a doubt the most decent human being I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, the world is a better place because of him, and my thoughts and prayers are with Bonnie, Brad , Bart , Hugh and the rest of the family.