Willard (Bill) Cummings, Jr., a Santa Monica Buick dealer and former Pacific Palisades resident, passed away on January 4. He was 75. Cummings was born December 11, 1932 in Los Angeles, the son of Willard Lyman Cummings, Sr. and Vesta Vickers Cummings. He grew up in Santa Monica, but later lived many years in the Palisades. After graduating from Harvard School in North Hollywood, Bill attended General Motors Leadership Management School for Dealers in Flint, Michigan and Santa Monica College. At 26, he became president of Cummings Buick, Inc. in Santa Monica, a dealership founded by his father in 1937 at 1501 Santa Monica Blvd. Bill had started with the company at age 14. He retired from the dealership in 1991 and subsequently leased his properties to other automotive enterprises as president of Cummings Properties, Inc. Bill was an avid golfer, who at one time was a member of the Riviera Country Club and the Los Angeles Country Club. He and his wife, Joan, were members of Bermuda Dunes Country Club (his favorite course) and lived in a home there in addition to their home in Encinitas. Bill hosted events for the PGA tour and participated in many golf tournaments. He is survived by his beloved wife, Joan Redman Cummings; his loving daughters, Cynthia Cummings Murphy of Pacific Palisades and Linda Cummings Mortenson (husband Doug) of Northern California; grandchildren Sean Murphy (wife Tiffany), Ryan Murphy and Alissa Mortenson; great-granddaughter Natalie Marie Murphy, and stepchildren Fred Redman (wife Valerie), Mary Albert (husband Eric and daughters Aryn and Jennifer) and Tricia Pezel (husband Matt and daughter Lauren). Bill was well loved and will be missed. He wanted all to know how much he appreciated their friendship throughout his life. Services will be private. In memoriam, donations may be made to the Willard Lyman Cummings, Jr. Award at the Santa Monica College Foundation, 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
