Bill Hellman

Born in Dodge City, Kansas, Bill Hellman moved to Delta, Colorado in 1955 at the age of two. He attended Mesa State College and Western State College, earning a business and accounting degree. Bill grew up around the automobile business, and when he was nine, he began sweeping and waxing floors and washing cars.

His father had a strong influence on him, and taught Bill the community is what builds the business. It was his responsibility to serve and help the community grow. Bill believes it was also the great people working for his father who kept pulling him toward the automobile business.

Bill’s father originally went to Delta to buy the Chevrolet store, but the cost was just too high. While waiting at the bus stop, a man told him the Ford store was for sale, so Bill’s father went over to look at it, and the price was right. That summer, Bill’s family came to town in two new 1955 Chevrolets to run the Ford store.

Bill acquired the Chrysler Dodge franchise in 1981, then the Toyota franchise in 1988. He and his brother Matt have done their best to give back to the county that has supported them for so long. In addition to sponsoring countless youth ball teams, they have contributed to many 4-H kids, honors programs in schools, sober graduation night parties for high school seniors, at-risk kids’ programs like Families Plus, Rotary scholarship programs, events at the Delta County Fair and programs that provide weekend food to needy children. They also work with hospice, Partners, Altrusa Literacy projects, Dream Catcher Therapy & Horse Rescue, and provide vehicles for KVNF Public Radio station vehicle raffles. He was Colorado’s nominee for the 2017 TIME Dealer of the Year award.

Bill and wife Jeanie have two children, Patrick and Holly. He’s proud both are in the car business. Bill has had many long-term employees who have helped build and guide the business throughout the years. It is because of them that he is honored to be in the Colorado Automobile Hall of Fame.