Bill Davidson, 1922-2009
by Matt W on Mar 14, 2009 12:06 AM CDT
19 comments
From Chris McCosky:
Pistons owner William Davidson died Friday night at his home, Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek said. He was 86.
His health had been failing the past couple of years and he was confined to a wheelchair. His normally regular visits to The Palace for Pistons games were very infrequent. He attended only two home games this season.
Cause of death wasn't released.
"There is a huge hole in our hearts tonight," said president of Palace Sports and Entertainment Tom Wilson in an interview on WWJ-950. "This really is somebody that you thought would go on forever. He seemed to have nine lives, and every one of them was jovial and optimistic and positive. He was a forward-looking person. He was a guy who never dwelled on mistakes, he had so much positive energy. He was the most eternal optimist even.
"It's an overwhelming presence we've lost."
Mr. Davidson lived a full life as a successful businessman and charitable benefactor, but understandably, most of us related to him as fans. With that in mind, I think a lot of us share the sentiments aptly expressed by Mike Payne earlier this evening:
We should certainly not feel bad for the guy, he lived one hell of a life and died very late. He earned SEVEN championships from the Pistons, the Shock and the Tampa Bay Lightning, on top of owning his successful auto business. Point being, now that he’s laid to rest, it’s a chance for us to celebrate the positive things he achieved. So while my first instinct was sadness, its a good chance to look back on an extraordinary business man who took the Ft. Wayne Zollner Pistons and turned them into a repeated champion, not to mention one of the few profitable teams in the NBA. Quite a lot to look up to.
With that, RIP, Mr. D. May you sleep quietly and contently, knowing you lived a life that few aspire to.
From WXYZ's Tom Leyden:
In addition to accomplishments as a professional sports owner, Davidson was one of metro Detroit’s most notable philanthropists, responsible for more than $200 million in donations to local and international charities and universities.
Organizations and municipalities that have benefited from his generosity include the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, the University of Michigan, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovet, Israel, the Karmanos Cancer Institute and Children’s Research Center of Michigan, the city of Detroit’s Parks and Recreation Department, Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem and countless others.
In 1997, Davidson was honored for his philanthropy by the Council of Michigan Foundations and also named one of America’s most generous donors by the New York Times.
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My condolences to the Davidson and Pistons families. You know somebody is full of life when it’s a shock to hear that they’ve passed away at age 86 after an illness but that’s how the news hit me.
by joejoejoe on Mar 14, 2009 12:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
My sympathies to the Davidson family and all the Pistons fans. The NBA has lost another great man, and the Detroit area lost a tremendous citizen.
His business acumen, philanthropy, and stewardship of the Pistons and Shock has been an important part of the Michigan landscape for generations. He will be missed.
by TripleOT on Mar 14, 2009 12:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
A statement from the Davidson Institute at the U of Michigan:
by PS on Mar 14, 2009 12:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Such a great, great man, Papa V knew him very well, at least 40 years. It’s very sad to hear this. I wish all team owners, and for that matter all men, could be a little more like Mr. D.
by V on Mar 14, 2009 2:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sad news! Damn, 200 million to charity?? thats just incredible! That, more than any sports affiliation, is a legacy to leave behind.
by piñon lopez on Mar 14, 2009 3:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh wow!! That just ruined my night. That guy is an incredible man!
by Stuckeyallstar2010 on Mar 14, 2009 3:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It has been a tough week for us Pistons fans. First hearing of the cancer that Chuck Daly is going through. Now worse, Mr. D. has passed. The Palace that was built more than 20 years ago and is still a premiere arena. The first private plane, Roundball One. He has done so much beyond. How much that man has done for others. He will be missed.
by Stuckeyallstar2010 on Mar 14, 2009 3:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Long live Bill Davidson. We need more Detroiters like him.
I feel for the Bill’s family. Condolences.
by Sauce1977 on Mar 14, 2009 4:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Bill is like The Don. Or the Donald or whatever.
I guess when Larry Brown decides to leave Charlotte, Detroit is once again open for discussion.
Who inherits executive decision on the Pistons npow?
by Skylar on Mar 14, 2009 9:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m glad he got his day in the basketball H.O.F. I watched his speech from the H.O.F. inductee ceremony, what a down to earth guy. Mr. D, may you rest easy, knowing your legacy will be carried on. God bless the Davidson family.
by CjMark on Mar 14, 2009 10:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The last three days have been the best for my family with the addition of my first son. Wake up in the hospital with the news of the passing of Mr. D (tears of sadness and joy)
Thank you for all the memories! They will last a lifetime and will be passed on! God Bless
by O-TownGenral on Mar 14, 2009 1:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
200 million is an amazing amount of money, and it couldn’t be more needed than in detroit. Rest in peace, Mr. D
by Drew on Mar 14, 2009 2:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Mr D. was someone we should all aspire to be like, people like him do not come often. We have lost an outstanding citizen of this world!
by Boian on Mar 15, 2009 2:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
They’re saying it’s very likely that Karen Davidson, his wife, will succeed him.
Mr Davidson will indeed be missed. What he did by going into a reeling city with a cellar-dwelling team took a lot of guts and what he helped forge was amazing.
I have a bunch of links and information about Bill Davidson over on Absolute Michigan:
http://www.absolutemichigan.com/dig/michigan/remembering-detroit-pistons-owner-bill-davidson/
by farlane on Mar 15, 2009 6:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This is a very sad loss for the basketball world. Mr. Davidson, you will be missed.
George wrote up a solid tribute this weekend.
by Conor Neu on Mar 15, 2009 9:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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