old time hot rodder Roadster shop Bill O'rouke passed away

[continentaljohn]

A old time freind just passed away, Bill O'rouke of the roadster shop.. He's been rodding for over fifty years and had his shop for close to 30 or so years.. So I'm sure some of you guys might have crossed paths and met him.. Just a super guy and really knew his rods.. Love the 1932 ford more then Henry himself.. They are going to have a open house this sunday at the shop for respects. So if you guys would, please give him a chirp of the tires and a nodd and a prayer...

[Tman]

Nice work out of his shop. Too bad he had to leave.

[Smokin Joe]

Too many going...
Larry Pratt, a local rodder and friend of mine here passed away the other night too. We're going to get as many rods as we can to his funeral Friday.

[nummnut]

john i'm in what time

[fab32]

Bought a '34 frame from him 3-4 years ago. When I went in to pick it up he asked me what size sweatshirt I wore. Went over to the clothing rack and picked up a 2X large and handed it to me. He offered to take me to lunch but I had to decline as I wanted to get back to Michigan. I paid him for the frame and he went out to the shop, got two of his employees and loaded the frame and lashed it down. Sure treated me like a celebrity that day. I know that's how you are supposed treat a customer but so few business people do today.
This is sad news indeed. I wish his family and shop people all the best.

Frank

[59BuickWagon]

What a shame. Met Bill many times at the SRN's and did some plaques for him. Always greated everyone like a long lost friend. One of the real nice guys in the hobby. He'll surely be missed.

[hotrodladycrusr]

I'm very sorry to hear the news. I considered Bill a friend. He treated me and the Lipstick gals like queens during a visit to his shop. He always had a kind word regarding my cars each and every time our paths crossed. A true gentleman. He will be greatly missed.

Here's the truck he drove to the Hunnert Car PilUp last October.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/image_uploads/387585-Bill%5C%27s%20truck.jpg

Here he is with us Lipstick Gals hanging out at the counter in his shop. He ALWAYS had that great smile on his face.

[aussiesteve]

Met Bill when he came to Colorado to visit his kid,We were one of his dealers.
A great guy and a great loss.
My sympathies to his family.
AussieSteve

[continentaljohn]

I'll find out more info on the open house for roadster shop Bill today..

[hotrodladycrusr]

I sure wish I lived closer, I would consider it an honor to be able to pay my respects in person. I will wear my Roadster Shop t-shirt on Sunday and say a prayer for Bill.

[RF]

I heard the news yesterday...right after I first heard he had cancer. Didn't even have time to absorb the first of the bad news. Anyway, I had the "honor" of meeting Bill this past summer at his shop in Elgin. First thing he did was tell me to pick a car, any car, and go for a spin. I opted for the '32 Fordor, of course, and putted around town with the fiercest rain clouds I'd ever seen looming overhead. He was more concerned about me getting wet than the sedan! Without saying, we have lost one of the good ones.

[silent rick]

that's sad to hear.

what's the address of the current location. i used to stop in when in the area, but that was when he was located on rt 25 or whatever the main north/south road is called.

what was the slogan, "a touch of california in illinois"?

i'll have to dig out a roadster shop t-shirt and try to make it sunday.

[continentaljohn]

I talk to Bill's son and the roadster shop is going to have a open house on sunday for Bill, about 2:00 or so.. So toss on your T-shirts and come and say hello and good-by.
Yep,its "a touch of california in illinois"

[wingnutz]

Thanks for passing the information on to us John...

Could you give us the address of the shop?

Mark

[Roadsters.com]

http://www.roadstershop.com/images/roadstrshpsign.jpg
275 N. Grove Ave.
Elgin, IL 60120
(847) 742-1932
http://www.roadstershop.com/

[gregg]

The notice is in today's Daily Herald. You can visit www.dailyherald.com/obits (http://www.dailyherald.com/obits) to express condolences and sign the guestbook.