History of Jim Bilton Ford

D. W. Gavin & Co. Inc was awarded a Ford Motor Co franchise on November 16, 1916. Vehicles were hard to get at this time so the company sold Hackney Wagons & mules to substitute their income.

After serving in WW II, having been a POW, Purple Heart recipient and awarded the Bronze Star medal Mr. James W. Bilton from Cross, SC came to work with Mr. Gavin in 1956. Time Magazine reported in the first month of Mr. Bilton’s employment, cars sales increased 400%.

Mr. Gavin & Mr. Bilton enjoyed many good years working together until Mr. Gavin’s death in 1967. Shortly after Mr. Gavin’s death, Mr. Bilton was able to mortgage everything he had to acquire 100% stock in D. W. Gavin & Co. Shortly after this the company name was changed to Jim Bilton Ford, Inc.

Mr. Bilton and his wife Lurene S. Bilton raised four boys and when they became old enough to work they worked in various areas of the business.

In 1973 E. A. Crout & Co. in Holly Hill (Mr. Bilton’s first Ford dealer employer) was available for sale.  Mr. Bilton and his second son, Al Bilton were fortunate enough to borrow the funds necessary to purchase   this dealership, presently known as Al Bilton Ford-Mercury.

In 1976 the Ford franchise dealer in Moncks Corner was up for sale and Mr. Bilton and his oldest son , Woody Bilton acquired this dealership today know as Woody Bilton Ford.

In 1980 Mr. Bilton’s third son Steve Bilton was elected president and CEO of Jim Bilton Ford in St. George SC and remains in this position today. Steve and his dad had many wonderful years working together until Mr. Bilton’s death in 2001.

During Mr. Bilton’s reign, the family added Bilton-Behr Chevy in Holly Hill, Bilton Chevy-Pontiac- GMC in St. George and Bilton Lincoln–Mercury in Sumter to the dealerships that the family owns.

Mr. Bilton’s hobbies were selling Ford’s, taking care of his family and customers, and also serving the State of SC as a former Highway Commissioner for 12 years.