On January 10, 2016, William Earl Halfacre passed away at age 74. Bill was a wonderful man, who touched many in the world of beauty. He leaves a large legacy of an outstanding career, creating successes for the companies he worked for and marvelous relationships along the way.
Bill’s career spanned 40-plus years and included extensive experience in both corporate and entrepreneurial environments in store operations, salon management, salon and distributor ownership and the past 15 years with OPI, as executive vice president of sales and marketing. Bill was responsible for merchandising and purchasing for Regis Corporation and OPI Products, Inc. He served on the Board of Directors for Macadamia Beauty LLC and as an adviser to the Board of Directors for Merle Norman Cosmetics. He served as an ICSA (which is now ISBN) board member for many years, helping to transition the association into the business powerhouse it is today.
His wife Debbie shared: “He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a cohort in crime to so many in the beauty industry. He always said, ‘When you can’t have fun, get out.’ Even at 74, he still loved going to work. Despite our urging, he refused to retire.
“One thing we have seen in his death is just how many people he mentored and helped, and we want each person to know that helping those around him reach their goals was his favorite part of going to work. We cannot express how much it means to the family that so many kind words have been said since Bill’s passing, and now, in his own words, ‘Get back to work!’”
She added, “In lieu of flowers, we are suggesting that donations be made to City of Hope.”
His survivors include his wife, Deborah Bugbee Halfacre; his mother, Emma Ruth Robinson; his children, Scott Earl Halfacre and wife Mary; Robinn Jill Halfacre; Todd Robinson Halfacre and Kaitlin Dianne Halfacre; his grandchildren Ashley Herman and husband Ryan; Sarah Elizabeth Halfacre, Zachary Halfacre and Keith Smith.
Gordon Bell Nelson was the executive vice president of education for Regis from 1977 to 2012. He was born in Scotland and spent more than 30 years at Regis. He trained at Sassoon and became head of Regis’s education program in 1988.
“Gordon grew within the company and became executive vice president responsible for education, travel and marketing,” says Paul Finkelstein, retired chair of Regis. “Gordon was highly intelligent, self-taught and passionately cared for people and the quality of our profession. He touched the lives of so many. Let’s talk about what that means. Regis generated more than 100,000 W-2s per year. Regis had a very extensive training program with more than 100 educators and a world-class video program created by Gordon. Gordon not only created the video contact, but was also the primary actor-educator in the more than 100 videos created over 20 years. During the 20 years, Gordon was seen in person or via videos by more than 600,000 cosmetologists. He was a rock star and a role model for our industry. Gordon passed away after a long battle with cancer at the age of 64. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and my best friend. Gordon will be sorely missed.”
