<p>Bill Davila, former President of Vons, has passed away. The first-generation Mexican American worked his way up from sweeping floors at a Vons market to become President of the grocery retailer. Davila was also the well known spokesman for Vons in TV and radio commercials, according to an obituary in the Los Angeles Times.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The industry veteran passed away Friday due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. Davila was known as a hands-on, gregarious exec who would personally visit Vons locations to check on operations. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>In 1948, Davila got an after-school job at a Vons, sweeping the floor in the produce section.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>"My goal in those days was to one day become a produce manager," Davila said in 1987 interview with the Los Angeles Times. "I thought if I could become a produce manager, I would have really reached a very lofty level."</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>He served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1954 and returned to Vons where he achieved his goal of becoming a produce manager in 1955.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Davila also joined the company's advertising department in 1959, eventually leading the unit. After taking on several more roles he was named President of the company in 1984. The advertisements he hosted, in English and Spanish, made him famous far beyond industry circles. In 1990 Davila took an early retirement but remained on the Vons board and continued to do its commercials. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Davila is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughters Lisa Franklin, Diane Jones and Deborah McGuire; sons David and Bill; and 12 grandchildren.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>AndNowUKnow would like to extend our deepest condolences to Bill’s family and friends.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
