William "Bill" Laimbeer Sr.

1934 - 2018

(News story) MARCO ISLAND, Fla. - William (Bill) Laimbeer, Sr., a former Toledo executive who was a philanthropist and a devoted Democrat, died Saturday at his home here. He was 83.

He died in his sleep, according to family.

Mr. Laimbeer rose through the ranks at Owens-Illinois Inc. from a forest products salesman when he was hired in 1959 in Jacksonville, Fla., to vice president, a promotion he got in 1976, a year after coming to Toledo, and then to executive vice president and president of diversified operations, to which he was promoted In 1984.

In 1986, he became chief executive officer of O-I Forest Products Co., which in 1987 became Maumee-based Nekoosa Packaging, with him as president. With the acquisition of Nekoosa Packaging's parent company, Great Northern Nekoosa Corp., by Georgia-Pacific Corp. in 1990, Mr. Laimbeer joined Chicago-based Stone Container Corp. as executive vice president, retiring in 1993.

"He was a very driven businessman. He was a big supporter of women's empowerment. And he was a big believer in charitable giving," said his son, retired Detroit Pistons' great Bill Laimbeer, Jr.

In retirement, William Laimbeer, Sr., and his son co-owned the former Detroit-based Laimbeer Packaging from its inception in 1994 until 2002, when they closed it during "the hard times for the automotive industry," the younger Mr. Laimbeer said. The company made corrugated containers for the automotive after-product industry.

"If my son works as hard at being the winner in the box business as he did winning in his old job, Laimbeer Packaging will be an enormous success," the elder Mr. Laimbeer said in a prepared statement in a 1994 Blade report.

Also in retirement, William Laimbeer, Sr., was active in a variety of educational charitable organizations, helping establish scholarships and build schools. The charitable boards he had served on over the years included Junior Achievement, Redlands Christian Migrant Association, Community Foundation of Collier County, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, and the Clery Foundation.

In 2010, he was named Southwest Florida Philanthropist of the Year.

A devoted Democrat, Mr. Laimbeer also gave donations to female democratic candidates throughout the country.

Mr Laimbeer was born Nov. 5, 1934, in Columbus to George and Doris Laimbeer.

He was raised in southern England, where he attended Bradfield College. He later continued his education at Harvard University.

In 1956, he married Joan Waldon.

In his free time, Mr. Laimbeer enjoyed golfing.

He was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Marco Island, Fla., where he was active in charitable events.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Joan Laimbeer; son, William Laimbeer, Jr.; daughters, Lee Laimbeer and Susan Ford; brother, Morgan Laimbeer; and four grandchildren.

There will be no visitation. A life celebration is being planned for autumn on Marco Island.

Arrangements are by Hodges-Josberger Funeral Home.

The family suggests tributes to the Greater Marco Island YMCA or the Island Country Club Charitable Foundation.

This is a news story by Mike Sigov. Contact him at msigov@theblade.com or 419-724-6089.