Mr. Bill's Workshop

As a way of introducing the high-spirited man behind the name, Mr. Bill sat down with Da Coach and had this to say:

Q: How did Mr. Bill's Workshop come about?
A: It was about 15 years ago, my father-in-law became too sick to run his shop Highlight Autobody, so I took over. The shop moved through a few locations and was eventually shut down for a while.

Q: Why was that?
A: I bought a house in the suburbs of Langley with the intentions of re-building my shop in the back yard. Then I had an oppertunity to become an instructor at a local school.

Q: So how long have you been teaching?
A: Since 1998 at several different schools.

Q: What's the hardest thing about teaching?
A: I find teaching them how to learn, be on time & work ethics the hardest part. I have to teach them not only the skills but the way to keep the job once they get it.

Q: So how did the current version of Mr. Bill's Workshop come about?
A: I was laid off at the community college and was third on the list for re-call so I rented a 3 bay shop, moved in and started working.

Q: Why do this instead of taking a job somewhere else?
A: Hands on quality control. This way I get to do high quality work for highly qualified customers. Plus I get to set my own hours.

Q: What got you interested in working on cars?
A: One day my dad drove me to school in his hot rod and I really liked the attention it got. Plus the fact that my dad owned a towing company so I was always around cars.

Q: So what are your qualifications?
A: I got my interprovincial trade qualification tickets in autobody and auto refinishing in 1986, started instructing in 1998, and received my instructors diploma in 2002. I am also Wedge Clamp certified.

Q: Are you married?
A: Yes, for 18 years now.

Q: Do you have children?
A: Yup, 4. One boy and three girls.

Q: So what does the future hold?
A: Building one off custom cars, mods, rods, and race cars. Hopefully one day I will get the recognition and be held in the same regard as master car designers Chip Foose and Boyd Coddington.

Q: Do you have a nickname?
A: Well (laughs) Coach calls me "The Metal God".

Chris Rouse is the man behind the mask in and around the Autoholiks paint booth. He is 22 years old, a graduate of Mr. Bill's class of '02, he put in plenty of time around the shop.He started working on and around cars when he was 8 years old. His dad managed an auto wrecking yard so his exposure came fast and furious. Sunday afternoons saw him tinkering on cars and bombing around the 4.5 acre site. He rolled a 1984 Omega when he was 9. His dad says it was the most gentle roll over he's ever seen. Chris is also a major motorsports fan. He drive his first ever race in a mechanics race in 2000. He got a part time ride in 2003 in his dad's championship winning mini-stock. It was a year of trials and tribulations and a lot of damaged parts. In 2004 his dad became crew chief and it was on. Complete new body, engine, and attitude. He took the IMS-4 series by storm winning rookie of the year and championship. 2005 brought many wins and 2nd place in the championship. 2006 started with a late model program that got put on hold. He was offered a ride in a midget race car that he really took to winning 2 features in 6 races. In 2007 he will continue with the midget.

Da Coach brought his mini stock to Mr. Bills to re-skin the body in late 1996.Not only did Mr. Bill skin the car, he cloned it. That became the 88 car. Coach won the championship that year and the 88 car took "Best Appearing Car & Crew" as well as the "Rookie of the Year" award for driver Mike Parsons. In 1998 the 88 car also got the "Rookie of the Year" award for new drive Ralph Boyce. Coach has won races, awards, and championships in Mr. Bill built cars and is a club member for life.