Bill Sapp’s life is a story of early struggle, strong family values, and success based on hard work, faith in God, and teamwork. From humble beginnings on a southeastern Nebraska farm, he and his brothers became some of the most respected and successful businessmen in the region.
After high school, Bill attended Fairbury Junior College where he studied education. In 1951, he taught 7th and 8th grade in Polk, Nebraska, and was an assistant football coach there.
In 1952, Bill followed his brothers into the military. Serving in the Army, he was stationed in France. Returning to Nebraska, he worked for the Journal Star as he completed his degree at UNL.
In 1960 Bill and his brothers Ray, Lee, and Dean joined forces to become the formal business entity, Sapp Bros., Inc. and purchased a Ford dealership in Ashland, Nebraska. In 1963, the Sapp Bros. opened a Ford automobile and truck dealership in Blair, Nebraska. The year 1965 saw the opening of Sapp Bros. GMA and Sapp Bros. Leasing.
With Bill’s leadership, the Sapp brothers would expand their business to include Sapp Bros. Truck Stops, opening their first truck stop in 1971. Now called Sapp Bros. Travel Centers, this chain operates 16 centers along the interstate from Utah to Pennsylvania.
In 1980, Bill was instrumental in adding Sapp Bros. Petroleum to the list of successful family companies—all headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. At present, Sapp Bros. employs 1,100 people and is the largest petroleum jobber in the state of Nebraska.
As well as leading a busy and productive professional life, Bill has an active spiritual life. Devout Christians, he and his wife, Lucille, have distributed Bibles and New Testaments throughout the world, including China, Russia, Brazil, and Nicaragua, through organizations such as People to People. Their philanthropy has supported other Christian organizations such as the Gideons, Bible Life Ministries, Men in Mission, and many others.
Titles by this author:
- The Sapp Brothers’ Story
