Myrl Winton “Bill” Deitch Jr., age 93, passed away peacefully Sunday, Jan. 28, at his home in Largo, Fla. He was the founder of what would become LaSalle Bristol. His daughter, Cathy, and youngest, son Jimmy, were at his side.
Deitch was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 12, 1924, to Bertha and Myrl Deitch Sr. Bill married Betty Ann Manning on June 11, 1949. She preceded him in death a year earlier.
This obituary appeared in the Elkhart Truth.
They had four children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
At age 17, his mother signed papers allowing him to enlist in the Navy during World War II in 1941. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Steel Navigator, a supply ship. On Oct. 19, 1942, his ship was hit by a torpedo which sank in three minutes. Bill was one of 16 survivors of a 52-man crew. They were picked up seven days later and he was reassigned to the U.S.S. Walter E Brown. There he was the Sargent of Arms until the ship was retired on Oct. 4, 1945. Two days later he was released with honors and sent home.
After marrying Betty, he took a job with Midwest Floor Covering. He later founded LaSalle Deitch Co. Over time he built it into 11 companies and 68 warehouses.
In 1972, LaSalle Deitch went public on the N.Y.S.E. Within one year, Magnavox Corp. of Fort Wayne bought LaSalle Deitch and he became vice president of Magnavox. He retired from that position in 1975.
After retiring, he thought he would try his hand at politics. Deitch eventually went back to the private sector and started the Deitch-Stewart Co. He specialized in selling floor covering for the RV industry. The company later became Deitch and Co. As a recognition of his success, in 1984, Bill was elected in the RV Hall of Fame.
His and Betty’s memorial service will be June 9 in Naples, Fla.