Longtime Tulsa Tire Shop To Close On Friday

By Rick Wells, The News On 6

TULSA, OKLAHOMA -- Midtown Tulsa is losing one of its long time businesses. Bill's Tire Service is closing this Friday.

They're busy in the shop and out front too. In fact, just about everywhere they could be busy at Bill's, they are.

"It's really not for lack of business that I'm quitting," said Bill Puroff.

Bill Puroff is as busy now as ever. He's been on the corner of 15th and Yale in Tulsa for 30 years and in the tire business for 50. He says he's got things he and his wife want to do, but it's hard to quit.

"I've had so many people come in here trying to talk me into staying," Puroff said.

People like Doris Marsh, who came in to get her car checked out Wednesday.

News On 6 Reporter Rick Wells stopped by because five years ago he did a story with Bill because he often played the accordion back in the office and he wanted to see if Bill still played.

Bill said he and some friends still get together on Monday afternoons to play, and occasionally play at nursing homes around the area.

Like most folks who own a business, he says he'll miss his customers.

"It's hard to believe the time's gone by so fast," he said.

Bill's Tire Service will close on Friday, September 3, 2010. Bill told the News On 6 the first thing he wants to do is take his wife on a cruise to Alaska.