Last updated on October 16th, 2018
William K. “Bill” Coors, former chairman of the board of Adolph Coors Co., which merged with Molson Inc. in 2005 to become Molson Coors Brewing Co., died peacefully at his home on Oct. 13 at the age of 102.
Mr. Coors was born Aug. 11, 1916, the grandson of Adolph Coors Co. founder Adolph Coors. He started his career at the company in 1939.
During his more than 65 years with the company, he contributed heavily to its rise from a regional brewer distributing in only a few western states to one of the world’s largest breweries. Under his watch, Coors survived and prospered while hundreds of breweries went out of business.
“The fact that we survived and even grew over the years when so many breweries went out of business was an accomplishment that all Coors employees can be proud of,” he would say.
With the company’s triumphs and failures, Mr. Coors learned to develop and maintain a positive outlook on life, says Molson Coors.
“I’ve taken my kicks,” Mr. Coors had said. “But I have had a fascinating life and I’ve been richly rewarded.”
President and CEO of Molson Coors, Mark Hunter, said, “Our company stands on the shoulders of giants like Bill Coors. His dedication, hard work and ingenuity, helped shape not only our company but the entire beer industry. We honor his memory by rededicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much—brewing the best-tasting, highest-quality beer to share with family and friends. Cheers to you, Uncle Bill!”
In 1959, at the start of his tenure as chairman, Mr. Coors succeeded in revolutionizing the beverage industry with the creation and development of the aluminum can. He faced significant resistance from companies unwilling to change and even from the aluminum industry itself, but he stuck with his idea and changed an entire industry.
Mr. Coors also was a pioneer in the world of corporate wellness. Through his foresight and leadership, the company started one of the first employee wellness centers in the country, and it still exists today.
Coors attended primary school in Golden, Colorado, and spent four years at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, before entering Princeton University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1938 and a graduate degree in 1939.
Bill Coors was involved with numerous civic, educational and business organizations over the years, including Boys and Girls Club of Denver Foundation, board of trustees; Colorado Symphony Orchestra, board of trustees; Colorado Outward Bound School, founding/lifetime trustee; Colorado Health Care Purchasing Alliance, board member; Colorado Business Coalition for Health, board chairman; Colorado School of Mines Foundation, board member; Denver University, board of trustees; and Colorado University President’s Leadership Class, lifetime trustee.
Mr. Coors’ efforts and strong commitment to improving the quality of life around him earned him numerous awards, including Citizen of the West in 1992; the Patriots Award presented by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society; the Jewish National Fund Tree of Life Award; and the Daniel Ritchie Award.
He is survived by his children, Margaret Coors Beresford and her husband Michael; May Louise Coors and her husband Sharad Atre; and Williams Scott Coors and his partner David Hurt; seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a great number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Adolph and May Coors Jr., his brothers Adolph Coors III, Joseph Coors Sr. and his sister May Louise Tooker. Pursuant to his directive, no formal memorial ceremonies will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to the William K. Coors Memorial Fund hosted by the Denver Foundation.
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