July 8, 2009 SEATTLE - The University of Washington athletics program lost a dear friend recently with the passing of William G. "Bill" Horrobin. Horrobin passed away peacefully at Kirkland's Evergreen Hospice due to complications from a fall three weeks earlier on the golf course. His life was celebrated in a special ceremony on July 1 at Bellevue First United Methodist Church. Former UW athletic director Mike Lude and longtime Seattle-area auto dealer Phil Smart spoke glowingly about the life of Horrobin in front of a large crowd of friends and family, which included former UW football coaches Don James and Keith Gilbertson and a large number of auto dealers from around the area. His proudest accomplishment, aside from his family, was the creation of the "Car Coach" program for the UW Athletic Department. The program started small in 1975 with a handful of local car dealers, each of whom provided a "courtesy" car for Husky coaches and selected staff in exchange for football tickets. The program grew and Horrobin served as its coordinator until he handed over the reins to the athletic department prior to his passing. Born and raised in Seattle to parents Gordon and Agnes, Horrobin attended Lincoln High School and Skagit Valley Community College before joining the U.S. Army in 1944. After serving his country for two years, he returned to Seattle, attended the UW and joined Delta Chi Fraternity. He met the love of his life, Annie Metzger, while attended the UW and the two married in 1948. They soon started a family and daughters Maralyn, Pam and Geri and son, Bill, Jr., became the focus of his life. Horrobin began selling cars at his father's used car lot in 1946, beginning a lifelong career in the auto business. Over the years, he worked for Halls Ford, Metke Ford, Phil Smart Mercedes and S.L. Savage Chrysler-Plymouth. In the mid-1980's he became his own boss and started Bill Horrobin Cars, which he owned and operated until his retirement in 2000. His love of people led Horrobin to join numerous organizations throughout his lifetime. Those included serving as the president of the Bellevue GYRO and being a 50-year member of the UW's Tyee Club. He was a member of the Washington State Olympic Committee and was president of the Seattle Little League in the mid-1950's. Horribin also helped found the Lake Washington United Methodist Church in Kirkland in the late 1950's. A devout Christian, he was a very involved member and touched many lives within the congregation, working tirelessly over the years on numerous committees. His business knowledge was a perfect fit for the Finance Committee, along with being a member of the Stephen Ministry and a Lay Leader. Those who knew and loved Horrobin will forever associate him with, among other things, his love of Husky football and basketball, playing bridge with his Delta Chi Fraternity Bridge Club, golfing with the T.M.G.S. Kirkland Golf Group and his love of Maui, Hawai'i. He is now reunited with his beloved first born, daughter Maralyn, as well as his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Annie; son Bill Jr. and his wife, Carol, of Ellensburg; daughters Pam of Kirkland and Geri of Redmond; brother, Gerald (Jerry) and his wife, Liv, of Seattle; grandson Miles; step grandchildren Dan and Vicki and step great grandson Morgan; as well as numerous cherished nieces and nephews. Horrobin was "larger than life" and simply loved life and all the people in his. He leaves behind a legacy of generosity and kindness and will be sadly missed by many. The family asked that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to his beloved church or UW Athletics In Memory of Bill Horrobin Or University of Washington Athletics |
