Article Number : 4928 |
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| Date | 10/5/2009 6:39:28 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=4928 |
| Abstract | OLD GREENWICH, CONN.— William Oler, a veteran of the Carpet Cushion Council (CCC) for many years, died Aug. 28. He was 86... |
| Article | OLD GREENWICH, CONN.— William Oler, a veteran of the Carpet Cushion Council (CCC) for many years, died Aug. 28. He was 86. Oler lived here with his wife of 62 years, Jeanne, for more than 50 years. She passed away in October 2008. Oler attended Yale University in 1945, finishing in 1948 after service in WWII. While at Yale he joined the Marine Corps. and spent several years stationed in the South Pacific. He became a Second Lieutenant and participated in the Second Marine Division occupation of the southern island of Kyushu, Japan, returning home after spending a year in Nagasaki. After finishing up at Yale, Oler went to work for the Hauck Manufacturing Co. From the 1950s to the 1990s and beyond, Oler continued to move up the corporate ladder with several different companies. He eventually left Hauck to become vice president of sales for Okonite Co. in Passaic, N.J., and later moved to General Felt Industries (GFI) as senior vice president when Okonite was acquired by GFI. Oler finished his career as vice president of Knoll International after it acquired GFI. After retiring from Knoll, he became president of the Carpet Cushion Council (CCC) until his second retirement in 2006. “In working with Bill on the CCC, I found him to have so many great qualities as a leader: integrity, honesty, openness, humility, assertiveness with a sense of humor,” said Ellen Gustafson, member of CCC. “I’m sure I’ve missed some, but all of us who served with Bill know that he was a mentor and loved what he did everyday. He taught us to have a positive attitude about whatever we were doing in life.” John Mitchell, formerly of Dixie Jute Manufacturing Co. and Sponge Cushion, also looked at Oler as a teacher. “Since meeting Bill at GFI in 1985, he has stood as one of my most respected friends and, at times, mentor. In the old-school sense, Bill was the epitome of the moniker, ‘a good man.’ He will be remembered by all those in the floor covering industry for his honesty, straight dealing and stewardship.” Rae Anne Cordick, president of both Fabricushion and the Canadian Manufacturers of Carpet Cushion, the Canadian equivalent to the CCC, said, “I knew Bill through the CCC where he served as president for several years. I always enjoyed my conversations with him as he had a lot of experience in both business and in life. He was a fine gentleman and a special and talented person who will be missed.” “Bill will be remembered as a gentleman and a true friend to many,” said Leggett & Platt’s Western regional operations manager Pratap Dholakia. “I came to know him while he was at GFI, as I became part of the company when it acquired Leewood in 1979. I also enjoyed working with Bill through CCC for years. It was a privilege to work with him.” Having an interest in education, Oler served as trustee of his alma mater, the Trinity Pawling School, for 20 years, and, was active in the affairs of Yale University. Oler is survived by his children, William III, Peter, Amy Oler Greenberg and Imogene Oler Altznauer; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Clarke, as well as many nieces and nephews. |