Bill Davidson was remembered Tuesday as a humble man, a giving man, a passionate man, a smart man, a businessman, and – most importantly – a family man.
More than 1,000 people – friends, family, co-workers, politicians, and sports figures - packed Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield Tuesday to say goodbye to Davidson, who died Friday at his Bloomfield Hills home. He was 86.
The 90-minute service spoke of his service to his community, his religion, the state of Israel. Though he was well known for his ownership of the high profile Detroit Pistons, the Palace of Auburn Hills, and Guardian Industries, he was portrayed as a private man who was devoted to his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Rabbi Eric S. Yanoff said everyone was the beneficiary of Davidson’s “goodness and kindness” and his desire to “improve the world in which he lived.”
His son, Ethan Davidson, got a chuckle from the congregation when he said he was wearing one of his father’s ties. “Believe it or not,” Ethan Davidson said of his father, who liked to dress casually, “he did actually own a tie.”
The son quoted Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” when talking about his father: “He was a man, take him for all in all. I shall not look upon his like again.”
Son-in-law Jonathan Aaron, talked about how he’d deliver Davidson’s mail to him when he wasn’t in the office and give him a status update on Guardian, the Palace, and the Pistons. He said Davidson was a “Hall of Fame father-in-law” and doting grandfather who will be missed.
“He was not a spectator in the game of life,” Aaron said. “He never passed on an opportunity to make the world a better place.”
He ended his talk like Davidson ended all their meetings: “Good, good.”
Russ Ebeid of Guardian Industries, said he will always remember Davidson’s spirit, guidance and inspirational leadership.
“They are woven into the fabric of our lives,” Ebeid said.
Davidson led by example and “taught you how to think, not what to think,” he said.
Rabbi Joseph H. Krakoff eulogized Davidson as a “once in a lifetime kind of man.”
Davidson was taught at a young age to keep life simple and to give back. He took his parents’ advice to heart.
Krakoff remembered the personal side of Davidson – the daredevil, the bad driver, the food lover – especially dessert, and the man who preferred casual dress. Davidson would often walk around the house in his underwear and wasn’t shy about “wearing his birthday suit” around the Pistons’ practice facility.
“He led a clean life,” the rabbi said. “He took the high road.”
After the singing of “On Eagles Wings,” the congregation followed Davidson’s casket out of the temple.
But everyone agreed that Davidson will never be forgotten. Rabbi Yanoff said Davidson saw “beyond which was in front of him” and that he “lived to build the future.”
“His story will continue to be written,” Yanoff said. “His memory will continue to be a blessing for all of us.”