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From left to right: Don Bordessa, Bob Toepp and Bill Siemsen
My goal is to build the business enough to support three full-time technicians.
We are moving forward to the new electric vehicle era and will be able to service your new electric and hybrid vehicles.
From left to right: Don Bordessa, Bob Toepp and Bill Siemsen
Don continued to run the business and I became his lead technician. Soon, I would revisit the idea of purchasing the business from Don and In June of 2007, the dream came true.
Now, after running the business for 7 months, I have hired a full-time technician team and full-time office manager.
From left to right: Don Bordessa, Bob Toepp and Bill Siemsen
As time went on, I became very interested in the business and started to buy my Dad’s share of the business.
In November, my father passed away of Lue Gehrig’s Disease. My business venture changed and I had to make a decision to continue buying the business or buy a home for my family. We decided at the time, it was best to purchase our first home… so we did.
From left to right: Don Bordessa, Bob Toepp and Bill Siemsen
After I graduated from High School, I continued my education at the SRJC and took a two year course in Automotive. I graduated with an Associates of Science degree in June of 1981.
From left to right: Don Bordessa, Bob Toepp and Bill Siemsen
In 1976 urban renewal again caused the business to relocate. This time, to 356 West College Ave. in Santa Rosa... out in the sticks.
This is where I come into the picture. I started working for my Dad and Don June of ’76, before I had my drivers license. My main job was sweeping the floors and cleaning the parts. Soon, I was learning the trade and going to every class that I could in the day and night.
From left to right: Don Bordessa, Bob Toepp and Bill Siemsen
In 1972 Bob Toepp Sr. and Don Bordessa bought the business from Bill and he retired.
From left to right: Don Bordessa, Bob Toepp and Bill Siemsen
In 1960 urban renewal caused Bob to move again, this time to “B” Street in Santa Rosa.
From left to right: Don Bordessa, Bob Toepp and Bill Siemsen
In 1958, Bob Toepp Sr. went to work for Bill as an apprentice. Bob had dropped out of school as a junior to support his family. His father had hurt his back and could not work.
After working for a year, Bob’s father was able to return to work. Bill convinced Bob to return to school, stressing the importance of education. Bob took his advice and graduated from High School while still working for Bills Auto Electric. The only job Bob had.
From left to right: Don Bordessa, Bob Toepp and Bill Siemsen
By 1955, Bill had built and moved into his own shop at a new location on Santa Rosa Avenue — a place he could call his own.
From left to right: Don Bordessa, Bob Toepp and Bill Siemsen
Our Automotive Repair Shop History
Bill’s Auto Electric was born on May 1, 1947 in the back of a gas station on Santa Rosa Avenue in Santa Rosa, California. Bill Siemsen started the business after the war (WWII). His belief was to run an honest shop with customer satisfaction a top priority. In that time we have offered all types of automotive repair services from Auto Heater Repair to wheel alignment. No matter what service we are preforming our workman ship is top notch and we treat our customers with the same respect as when we opened in Santa Rosa Mat 1st 1947.
Click the years on the timeline to read more about the rich history of Bills Auto Electric and Repair.