William A. Davidson

Eldest of the Davidson brothers and company works manager and vice-president, William was already foreman of a railway workshop when his younger brother and Bill Harley were building their first motorcycle. Consequently he brought a wealth of practical experience in production, metallurgy and management to the fledgling company. Nicknamed 'Big Bill' or 'Old Bill', to differentiate him from his son, William H., was a big man who loved outdoor pursuits such as hunting and fishing. Veteran employees remember him as someone who always remembered them. He died in 1937.