Williams Norwalk Tire & Alignment in Norwalk, OH

Williams Norwalk Tire & Alignment History:  some random (and funny)  information about us.

Introducing Jim and Vicki Williams, co-owners of Williams Norwalk Tire & Alignment. 

Jim Williams, President of Williams Norwalk Tire & Alignment, used to read Chilton manuals while watching Spider Man when he was in high school.  He did not have the money to repair his 1967 Pontiac GTO – so he learned to work on it himself.  He worked in several gas stations which introduced him to working on vehicles for customers.  Coincidentally, his automotive mentor at the Sohio station is still a friend and now has us work on HIS vehicles. 

Jim worked at several GM dealerships – Foster Chevrolet, Bill Beatty Chevrolet and Dorr Chevrolet before opening our own business.   He worked for a short time at Kmart Automotive where he frequently was top producer of the month.   

Williams Auto Repair and Classic Restoration started in our small home garage in May, 1988.  We sometimes had to work outside.  Jim enjoyed when the door between the garage and house would open with a quick “hi daddy”!  I still remember the day I sent 3-year-old Samantha to the garage with an important message!  “Mommy said it’s time to go to the hospital!”  She was so excited to welcome her brother, Keifer later that day!    

When we outgrew our home garage, we put up a new building East of Norwalk on Route 20.  Jim hired a few employees, added a few lifts and offered more services.  Vicki continued to work at GTE while helping behind the scenes.  Our children were young but were along for the journey.    

In 1994, we moved to our present location at Cleveland Rd in Norwalk.  Our services expanded to include tires and alignments.  Vicki was laid off from GTE later that year.  Our son Keifer joined the team around 2007.  Yes – we are family owned AND operated. 

Our present location is a vintage white building trimmed in red with a large yellow sign in front with Williams through it!  When you enter the lobby, you may feel like you stepped back in time.  You will see a toy garage from the 1950’s, vintage oil cans and supplies.  We sell candy bars from an antique candy machine – no electricity required.   There is an old tire on the rack that was there when we purchased the building.  We have an old Norwalk Trucker Letterman’s Jacket from a local cheerleader as well as vintage gas station shirts and jackets.  Our photos and tin replicas will take you back in time.  Even our lobby table and chairs give a vintage soda shop appearance along with some Coke items.  (We do have a regular chair and couch to sit on also – but be warned – they put our customers to sleep.) 

We have photos of our personal GTOs along with models of other GTOs and unique vehicles.  The photos include our 1966 GTO and our 1969 GTO.  The 1966 was in the Shawshank Redemption Movie – it is in the UNCUT version and you have to be quick to see it.  The 1969 was brought home in pieces  in the back of 2 trucks and a trailer – with many parts missing.  Jim and Keifer teamed up to build this vehicle.  I remember Jim working on the seats in our living room – yes – you read that right.  Keifer mainly drives this vehicle and is frequently followed into parking lots by admirers.  We previously had a 67 GTO and a 69 GTO.  Really miss the 1967. 

Be sure to check out the display case – filled with advertising memorabilia from the Norwalk and surrounding area.  Take a walk back through our local history as you see names that have not been mentioned in years!  Ashtrays (remember those), pens, pencils, calendars, seat cushions, cups, matchbooks, can openers, rulers.  Names like PDI, Action Auto Supply, Moyer’s Excavating (my dad), Norwalk Parts Company, Downtown Dodge Inc, Norwalk Hitching Post, Scott Ford Day items, and more.  A few nice gifts from EHOVE for mentoring students.    

You will probably be greeted by Matt Nickoli, our service manager since 2019.  Our customers enjoy his pleasant personality and honesty.  You may not like what you hear, but he is there to guide our customers to make the decision that is right for YOU, your vehicle, and the needs of your family.   

I may be in the office – I am usually sitting at my desk behind the counter working on some boring but necessary paperwork.  Some days I am so quiet that I just blend in.  OK – stop laughing.  Then again, I may be on an errand picking up a vehicle, taking a customer home, or sneaking out for an afternoon of relaxation.  Who am I?  I am Vicki!

If Jim is there, he is probably hanging out somewhere in the shop.  Unfortunately, the life of a technician has paid it’s toll on Jim’s body.  He does not do as many actual repairs on the vehicles but is frequently included with diagnosing the difficult ones. 

We run our shop with honor and integrity.  We prefer to repair what is NEEDED.  In some cases, some shops will recommend everything for the related repair.  Some of the recommended parts may have plenty of life in them.

Our current team works well together.  Each employee has a minimum of 15 years of automotive experience.  Today’s vehicles require the experience and knowledge of professional technicians. 

In the fall of 2021, we started our Celebrating Our Everyday Heroes promotion.  It was our way of thanking the community for being there for their neighbors, family and friends. 

When experience counts, call the Williams Norwalk Tire & Alignment team at 419-668-3071.