VICTOR
William Kelly Victor, (Bill), a nationally recognized authority on classic, sports and collector cars and an organizer of Cincinnati’s premier annual car show, the Ault Park Concours d’Elegance, died Thursday, August 15, 2013, at the age of 64, after fighting a rare form of cancer for more than a decade.
In 1978, Bill helped launch the inaugural Concours d’Elegance, which raises money for the Arthritis Foundation. During the show’s 36 years, Bill volunteered on many committees, including car recruiter, judge, and was chairman twice. However, he was best known for the role of Master of Ceremonies during the awards ceremony. His exceptional knowledge of every make and model of car made him the ideal presenter of a first place trophy to a car owner. In a friendly, informative manner, Bill discussed each winning car’s history and distinctive qualities, often surprising a car owner with tidbits of new information. As of last year, the top car is now presented with the “William K. Victor Best of Show” trophy, in honor of Bill and his long-standing support of the Ault Park Concours d’Elegance car show.
Born May 8, 1949, Bill was raised in Mt. Washington, graduated from Withrow High School in 1967, and was a walk-on basketball player his freshman year at the University of Louisville. He left school before finishing to start a career selling electroplating chemicals to industrial firms. He got married during this time period, but it was brief as his wife was tragically killed in a car accident. Eventually, he returned to college and graduated with a business degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1977. He bought a small company, Abrasives Specialties Inc., which he ran for several years, but then sold to a friend.
In the mid-1980s, Bill learned of a new business model/concept that was being applied to the age-old junkyard car business. With the backing of investors he started Sportscar Recyclers, using the new approach of buying wrecked cars, disassembling them, saving and cleaning parts of value, shrink-wrapping and re-selling them. A customer could find a needed part inside a clean building, rather than outside buried in a field of junked cars. Bill selected a few models of sports cars to start with knowing they were the types of cars most likely to be restored. Even though he gave Sportscar Recyclers his best effort, Bill realized the concept was ahead of its time and moved on.
Bill’s next career found him in his dream job. Through his long association with the Concours d’Elegance, he was hired to manage a private car collection. He helped research, restore and maintain a unique collection of foreign sports and racing cars. Taking select cars to prestigious car shows across the country, from the iconic Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California, to the Cavallino Classic at the famous Breakers Hotel Palm Beach, Florida, were just a few of the perks and highlights.
In 2002, Bill was diagnosed with chordoma, a rare form of spinal cancer. He endured many surgeries, radiation treatments, and a variety of complications. His final legacy is the donation of his chordoma tumors for research to help advance the search for a cure. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bill’s name can be made to the Chordoma Foundation, PO Box 2127, Durham, NC 27702 (www.chordomafoundation.org)
Bill is survived by his wife Helena Latkiewicz Victor; children Max, Alexis, and Jack; parents William W. and Patricia K. Victor; sister Jill (Norbert) Buelsing and their children Kelly (Blake) Schnebly and Michael: brother Greg (Rekha Shukla) Victor and their children Nikhil and Peter, all of whom loved him dearly. He was predeceased by his first wife, Carole Jo Fox, in 1972. A Celebration of Life /Memorial service will be held at a place and date to be determined. Article about Bill.
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