Well-known Sacramento merchandiser William "Bill" Snyder, co-founder of the iconic William Glen stores at the Town & Country Village, died Tuesday, Dec. 15 of complications from cancer. He was 67.

He is survived by his wife, Terry Snyder, son Mark, daughter Amy and her husband George, granddaughter Gianna Rose, and brothers Don and Jim and their families.

"Bill's life was devoted to doing all he could to bring happiness to family, friends and the community," said Terry Snyder. "His great delight was to put a smile on a face. His humility was exhibited by the response he would give when asked what he did for a living, which was, 'I sell pots and pans.' There was no job that was beneath him and he took pride in everything. His spirituality was what drew me to him. He was the love of my life and I will miss him terribly."

"My father was my best friend, my mentor and my hero," said Mark Snyder. "He taught me to want to succeed and to want to work hard. He showed me that a kind smile and a well-placed joke could, at the same time, be a necessary shield and a warm blanket. He taught me that through experience, patience, understanding and drive, any task can be accomplished and any obstacle overcome. I am proud to be his son."

His daughter Amy added her own heartfelt feelings. "My dad truly put everyone else's needs and feelings before his own," she said. "He had a brilliant mind and an artfully talented soul. He was an innovative and inspirational entrepreneur, a devoted husband and a loving and compassionate father and friend. His absence will be felt by many, but his impact will be felt forever."

Bill Snyder was born in 1942 in Grass Valley, Calif., to Mardelle and Carl Snyder. The Snyders moved to Sacramento, where Bill attended St. Philomene's School and La Sierra High School. So many of his William Glen customers mentioned they were on his Sacramento Bee paper route that Bill was prompted to remark, "I must have had the world's largest newspaper delivery route."

Bill attended CSUS for a number of years, where he studied music with the intention of becoming a music teacher. It was there he met Glen Forbes, who would soon become his business partner and remain a lifelong friend. The two began their work together hanging wallpaper, painting rooms, recovering furniture -- "Anything we could do to earn some money," Bill once recalled.

The William Glen store was founded in 1963 by Snyder and Forbes. To capitalize it, they combined their ready cash -- $500 -- and borrowed an additional $2,000, using their two Chevrolets as collateral. Their dream was to open a decorating studio and candle shop.

Their store became a success through hard work and a sense of "knowing just what the customer was looking for," and expanded to include an extensive line of quality home merchandise and cookware. Over the decades, William Glen has set the benchmark for excellence in its field, and is known for its personal service and as a destination for world-class goods. Forbes retired in 1998.

In 2006, William Glen, Inc. won the prestigious Global Innovator USA Award for its excellence in housewares retailing. The gia award is an international award that recognizes overall excellence in both specialty and multiple-location retailers for their superior business innovations and creativity in housewares merchandising. Only 23 gias were presented that year, from a field of hundreds of nominees from countries around the world. The awards program is overseen by the International Housewares Association.

Bill can be best remembered for his deep love of his family, his warm smile, his jokes and quick wit, his love of nature and gardening, and his commitment to helping his fellow man. His love has impacted his faith, his friends, his peers and, most of all, his family who adored him.

A Rosary was held on Tuesday, Dec. 22.

Funeral services are today at St. Philomene's Church, 2428 Bell St., Sacramento. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Children's Receiving Home of Sacramento.

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