Norm Bilbrey Back in the Driver's Seat
The torque wrench has been passed.
On June 1, Jerry Depoy, longtime owner of Depoy's Auto Service, stepped into retirement and longtime mechanic Norm Bilbrey stepped out of retirement to open Norm's Auto Repair in Depoy's former shop at 1809 W. Jackson St.
Depoy opened his first automotive repair shop on Jan. 1, 1983 across from Beef-A-Roo on West Jackson Street. He moved to North Prairie Avenue in 1990, and 10 years later, moved to his new building on the edge of Macomb.
'I started working on cars when I was 18, and spent most of my time in Ford dealerships until I went to Royal Pontiac,' Depoy said. 'I opened my own place in 1983 because I wanted to be my own boss.'
Depoy is staying on with Bilbrey for a bit to help out with the transition, and then he's off to pursue other interests.
'If not now, I never will,' he added. 'Norm brings forth many years of experience in automotive repair, and is committed to continuing the quality of service and products you've come to expect.'
Bilbrey, along with his wife, Sandy, run Norm's, with Sandy and Kelsie Perry, running the office side of the house. Robert Perry is also currently helping out as a mechanic, and Bilbrey plans on adding another full-time mechanic in the near future.
Bilbrey, who will turn 83 on June 20, has been working on cars since he has been 16, and professionally, since he was 18. When he bought his first car, a Plymouth, his dad told him he'd better learn to work on it himself or it would just sit.
'I had nine brothers and sisters, and we didn't have a lot of money, so I had to learn how to take care of my own car,' Bilbrey shared. 'My dad was a logger, and I had started helping him when I was 11. When I started working on my car, I decided I'd rather do that for a living than logging.'
Bilbrey's first professional job was working at the Shell station on North Lafayette for Roger Gray. He stayed there for 10 years, and then ventured out on his own at the age of 28, renting garage space in the former Firestone store near what's now Wendy's on West Jackson Street. He opened what later became the BP in 1982 next door to the Macomb Firehouse, and ran the service station and auto repair shop for over 20 years.
'I quit the business for a while after the BP station, but then after a few years, I rented a place on West Washington and then bought my own place on Ward Street,' he added. 'I decided to retire in 2017, but even though it's probably silly, I decided I enjoyed working on cars too much to stay retired. I just don't like to sit around. I appreciate the opportunity Jerry gave me to come back, and that he's staying on to help us for a bit.'
When asked why he likes working on cars, the answer is simple for Bilbrey: it's just something he likes to do.
'I really like most all of it, and it's nice to see my old customers and meet new ones,' he said. 'And work keeps me going and keeps me young. I'm grateful to still be about to do this.
Norm's is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Call (309) 837-6437 for an appointment.
'Thank you for your continued support and trust in Depoy Auto Service. It has been an honor to serve the automotive needs of this community for 43 years,' Depoy concluded. 'Norm has my highest recommendation.'
