Proudly serving the industry for which it was named for more than 50 years, Outdoor Power Equipment provides dealers who sell and service outdoor power equipment with valuable information to succeed in a competitive market.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/391495
Publishers' Auxiliary Magazine called William H. "Bill" Quinn Jr. the youngest newspaper publisher in the United States when he was chosen to head the Grand Saline (Texas) Sun in 1935 at age 22. When he died on Sept. 6, 2014, at age 102, he was likely the nation's oldest writer. He wrote his last column on May 8, 2014, and taped an audio interview on his early years only two months ago. In August 2013, he was also featured in the Texas Press Association's publication, The Messenger, which said he "might be the TPA's most senior member." During 80 years of writing activity, he covered some of this nation's largest stories, including the tragic New London, Texas, school explosion, where 200 students were killed. He was also among the first to interview Postmaster General Jim Farley in 1940 when he tested the waters for a possible run at the White House. Bill's journalistic career started when — at age 15 — he won a writing contest sponsored by the Dallas News, and saw his bylined name. "It looked so good," he remembered, "I told my parents I'd grow up to be a newsman." After high school graduation in 1930 — with no job, and no job in sight — he and another local boy started their own daily paper — The Dinner Horn — on a borrowed mimeograph machine. The paper soon folded, but that only sparked Bill's desire to write more. After being named publisher of the Grand Saline paper, he worked tirelessly to build readership and advertising. The paper's owner soon named him editor of the neighboring Van Banner, too. Bill first received national media attention and many speaking invitations when he kiddingly announced a run for the U.S. Senate by suggesting that people over 30 be put in "homes for the aged." In 1941, the Sun won awards as the state's outstanding weekly paper for its size. Then, Bill was hired to edit a larger paper, the Mineola (Texas) Monitor. He did that until joining the U.S. Army. In World War II, Bill started out in the personnel division, but because of his writing credentials, was named editor of the Sixth Corps' daily mobile newspaper, The Beachhead News. It followed the Army's path through Italy, France and Germany. Bill received the Bronze Star in recognition of these efforts. Upon returning from military service, Bill moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where he married his longtime sweetheart — schoolteacher Lennie Roberson — and bought the small Ledger Printing Company. He started regional publications for laundry and cleaning, the rental industry, and safety engineers before finding success by building the Southern Bicycle Journal, a regional monthly magazine for bicycle dealers that he was already printing. In the 1950s, Bill also started a monthly visitors' guide for his hometown, aptly named The Fort Worther. It still exists today as Key Magazine. Then, in 1959, he created Lawn Equipment Journal for the new and fast-growing lawn and garden industry. It was later renamed Outdoor Power Equipment, and grew to be one of the nation's larger trade magazines. His famous monthly columns — "Partly Personal" — helped develop readership for his magazines. These features mixed business, travel, industry information, government-related updates, and just plain good humor, and helped him attract thousands of loyal readers. 18 OCTOBER 2014 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com Feature Story | Tribute Remembering OPE Founder Bill Quinn (1912-2014) ■ By rix Quinn 1. NEWSPAPER WORK — Before beginning his career in the magazine business, Bill Quinn edited weekly newspapers. 2. BILL QUINN WAS NAMED to the Garden Industry of America Hall of Fame at its national trade show in 1985. Pictured at left making the presentation to Bill is GIA Show Director Paul Anderson. 3. NEWLYWEDS Bill and Lennie Quinn pictured shortly after their 1946 marriage. 4. DURING WORLD WAR II, Bill Quinn visits with his parents, and niece and nephew Jill and Jack Quinn, before heading for Europe. 5. BILL QUINN (shown at right) started the Lawn Equipment Journal in 1959 after a bicycle dealer wrote him requesting a magazine for lawnmower dealers that was similar to his monthly for bicycle retailers, the Bicycle Journal. 6. Bill Quinn meets Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon. 7. Bill Quinn with granddaughter Katie (circa 1988). 8. FOuR GEnERATiOnS — Clockwise from left, Bill Quinn is pictured with son Rix; granddaughter Katie, who is Rix's daughter; and great-granddaughter Aria Catherine Fultz, who is Katie's daughter. 9. ThiS 2004 hOlidAy phOTO shows Bill and Lennie Quinn with, back row, left to right, Rix, Katie and Erica. Lennie passed away in 2005 at age 92. 10. Bill Quinn cElEBRATES his 100th birthday with (standing, left to right) son Rix, granddaughter Katie and daughter-in-law Erica.