3111 Redwood-William “Bill” Domichel: From Farm Fields to Foundations

William “Bill” Domichel (1916–1997): Builder, Farmer, and Force of Nature

William “Bill” Domichel was born in 1916 to Anton and Mary Votivich Domichel and raised on his father’s land along Redwood Road. From an early age, he was no stranger to hard work—by the age of 7 he was doing a grown man’s full day of labor on the family farm. As a teenager, his determination and entrepreneurial spirit showed when he started his own trucking business at just 14.

Bill eventually made his home and business at 3112 South Redwood Road, where he ran his construction company, complete with attached auto garages. He also farmed on the family’s 10 acres near 1300 West and 2100 South, balancing his life between building, cultivating, and innovating. Over his lifetime, Bill founded seven businesses, each thriving due to his grit, vision, and refusal to quit.

Known for his booming voice, strong personality, and unshakable will, Bill had a way of leaving a lasting impression on people—often after only meeting them once. His approach to life was direct and unconventional, yet always effective. Though his formal education ended at the eighth grade, he more than proved that determination, intelligence, and hard work mattered more than a diploma.

Bill married his sweetheart, LaVon Ila, in 1944. Together, they worked side-by-side and raised three children before her passing in 1979. In 1989, he married Joyce. Even in later years, Bill remained energetic and competitive, taking up golf and bowling at age 69 with his close friend and business partner, Roger Holton—and, of course, excelling at both in his own unique way.

Bill Domichel’s life was a testament to perseverance, ingenuity, and the drive to build—whether it was a business, a home, a farm, or a better future.