William J. Pulte

William John Pulte was the founder and chairman of PulteGroup, one of the largest home construction and real estate development companies in the United States.

William J Pulte
Born
William John Pulte

(1932-05-16)May 16, 1932
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died(2018-03-07)March 7, 2018
Naples, Florida, U.S.
Known forFounder of PulteGroup
Height5'8
Spouse
Karen Koppal
​
(m. 1993)​
Children14

Biography

Early life and education

Pulte attended De La Salle Collegiate High School in Detroit. He was a three sport varsity athlete in football, track and basketball.[1]

Career

In 1950, just after graduating high school, Pulte and 5 friends built a 5-room bungalow near Detroit City Airport, which they sold for $10,000.[2]

In 1956, he founded William J. Pulte Inc.[3] In 1959, he built his first subdivision.[2][3]

In 2016, after Richard Dugas Jr., the former chief executive officer of the company, moved the headquarters of the company from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan to Atlanta and initiated a change in direction for the company, Bill Pulte, who owned 9% of the company, and his grandson, also named Bill Pulte, pressured Dugas to resign. Dugas resigned, and the stock price fell 6.57%.[4]

Death

Pulte had 14 children (and was predeceased by one). He divorced his first wife, and married Karen Koppal in 1993. Pulte died at his home in Naples, Florida, on March 7, 2018, at the age of 85.[5][3][2]

References
  1. Schuler, Joe (2006). Building a Legacy (The Bill Pulte Story). SangFroid Press. ISBN 978-0917939129.
  2. "The Pulte Family Shares Passing of William J. Pulte, Founder of PulteGroup (PHM), and Transition Plans" (Press release). PR Newswire. March 7, 2018.
  3. PINHO, KIRK (March 7, 2018). "PulteGroup founder William Pulte dies at age 85". Crain Communications.
  4. PINHO, KIRK (April 4, 2016). "PulteGroup chairman, CEO Dugas to retire under pressure". Crain Communications.
  5. Kirkham, Chris (March 7, 2018). "Bill Pulte, Who Made Home-Building a Big Business, Dies at 85". The Wall Street Journal.
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