Sometimes in life, men and women will have a great opportunity to meet that special individual who can make a difference in our lives. For me, that person was Bill Robinson.
Robert Tate
Automotive Historian and Researcher
William Robinson was born on August 31, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan and died on February 15, 2022. He is survived by cousins, nieces and nephews. He graduated from Cass Tech High School and attended the University of Michigan. Upon graduation, he was employed by the Reynolds Company as an Industrial Designer. He served as an Automobile Designer for Chrysler Corporation for 32 years. During that time he made major contributions to the designs of many Chrysler cars.
He was the lead designer for the 1957 Plymouth and was sole designer for the 1959 Plymouth. The Plymouth Belmont concept car of 1953 was his design. He created the concept for the minivan in the 1970s, years before its introduction in 1984. Upon retirement, he taught at The College for Creative Studies for 22 years as a professor of transportation design. He received the Educator of the Year Award in 2000.
Bill became a member of the Presbyterian Church in 1942 and served as a church school teacher all of his life. He served as church elder five times and taught Confirmation classes beginning in 1968. He led the Bethel Bible Study program of 259 members in 1988.
He served the Lord as member of Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church for decades beginning in 1958. He was proud of serving as a confirmation teacher for three generations. He taught an adult Bible study class for over a half century. Bill served as tour guide for the Walter P. Chrysler Museum for 13 years. He was popular as a tour guide for school children participating in the Michigan Education Association’s program for enriching field trips.
Bill was a fan of Big Band Jazz and would travel many miles to enjoy a performance. He has an extensive CD collection which went to the Music Department of Wayne State University. He enjoyed high performance cars and liked working on them to increase their performance. He was often challenged to a race by other car owners, a contest in which he was victorious 90% of the time. He enjoyed boating and owned racing boats which were fast and dangerous. One fast trip sent him to the hospital for weeks. He continued to own a racing boat; but, drove it slower after age 80.
Bill believed in exercise, good nutrition, and good doctors. This belief helped him to lead a long and healthy life. His hope was that when meeting his Lord he heard “well done good and faithful servant.”