Motel 6 Founder Dies - Leaves Bright Legacy
MAY 4,2007. William Becker, founder of Motel 6, passed away on April 2, 2007 in Kingman, Arizona. He will be remembered as a visionary who paved the way for quality economy lodging.
In the 1960s, Becker grew tired of staying in rundown motels and believed there should be accommodations that provided both comfort and great value. His goal was to build a chain of affordable hotels for families and other travelers. In 1962, Becker pioneered budget travel by opening the first Motel 6 in Santa Barbara, California, where rooms were rented for $6 a night - thus the name Motel 6.
'We are proud to expand upon the dream of visionary William Becker,' said Jim Amorosia, Chief Operating Officer for Motel 6. 'Accor North America maintains Motel 6 founder William Becker's vision for the brand by continuing to provide a clean, comfortable room for the lowest price of any national chain to its guests for more than four decades. We are sad to learn of his passing, but his honor will forever be remembered through the Motel 6 brand and the many lives he has touched through his numerous endeavors.'
The Motel 6 founder was a man of many talents and dreams. Aside from creating economy lodging, Becker started a bank in 1979 that was the first locally owned and independent bank in Kingman, Arizona called The Stockmen's Bank. His bank eventually expanded from Arizona into California and was sold last year to the National Bank of Arizona.
For over 40 years, and with almost 900 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Motel 6 is leaving the light on and still offers a clean, comfortable room for the lowest price of any national chain - just as Becker had dreamed.
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