Last updated on February 19th, 2014 at 01:54 pm
Mr. William S. “Bill” Davila, former president of Vons and past president of the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC), died Feb. 14 after suffering with Alzheimer’s for several years. He was 82.
Mr. Davila began his career with Vons Grocery Co. in 1950 and became president in the mid-1980s. He retired from Vons in 1992, though he continued to serve as president emeritus and spokesperson. As the Los Angeles Times said once in a story, Mr. Davila was “catapulted to near-celebrity status by his television and radio pitches” for the company.
Mr. Davila also served as president of the WAFC, culminating with the 1991 convention at the Sheraton Waikiki in Honolulu and was honored by the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business as the Food Industry Executive of the Year in 1994.
Often referred to as a “legend in the industry,” Mr. Davila “was a generous, gracious and giving man who mentored many throughout the years,” according to Carole Christianson, COO of the WAFC. “His legacy of service to charitable causes, community involvement and well deserved awards are vast.”
Survivors include his wife Dorothy; daughters Lisa Franklin, Diane Jones and Deborah McGuire; sons David and Bill; and 12 grandchildren.
Services for Mr. Davila will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at Saint Rita Parish Church, located at 318 N. Baldwin Ave. in Sierra Madre, Calif. A reception will follow at San Gabriel Country Club.
Read more about Mr. Davila and his life here.
