William Pickard, famous entrepreneur from Detroit, dies at the age of 83

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 19: William F. Pickard speaks onstage during Morehouse College’s 34th Annual “A Candle In The Dark” Gala at Hyatt Regency Atlanta on February 19, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

(FOX 2) – William Pickard, a Michigan entrepreneur whose career spanned decades and included leading and founding companies in the automobile industry, has died, his family announced Wednesday.

Pickard, considered one of the first black owners of a McDonald’s branch, grew up in Detroit before founding the Global Auto Alliance in 1989 and was 83 years old.

He was surrounded by family and loved ones at his home in West Palm Beach, Florida, his family said in a statement.

“On behalf of our family, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for your love and support during this difficult time. Your kindness has brought us tremendous comfort,” the family said.

In addition to his work at GAA Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, he was co-managing director of the MGM Grand Detroit Casino and co-owner of five black-owned newspapers.

Pickard, who was named a Lifetime Humanitarian in 2019, earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan in 1965 and a doctorate from Ohio State University in 1971. He previously attended Western Michigan University and Flint Mott College.