The Maybelline Story
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Gerald Ford’s, 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine, part of Bill Williams collection.

By Sharrie Williams · Written January 2012 · 2 min read

Bill Williams moved to Old Las Palmas in Palm Springs, in 1972 and bought Silent Film Star Marie Dressler’s, two acre estate so he could store his car collection. One of my fathers most fun classic cars was this 1961 Limo, once owned by President Gerald Ford.


Gerald Ford’s, 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine, part of Bill Williams collection.
Bill Williams, Casa de Guillermo was a showplace in the 1970’s and was featured on the cover of the Palm Springs, official Map-Brochure. It was a flamboyant location, used for movies, TV shows and fundraising.




Gerald Ford’s, 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine, part of Bill Williams collection.



By 1980, after Bill married Gloria, the gates of Casa de Guillermo, were closed to the public and became strictly a family compound.



Gerald Ford’s, 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine, part of Bill Williams collection.



Besides Maybelline heir, Bill Williams, Hollywood celebrities and former Presidents including, Kirk Douglas and Bob Hope, former President Gerald Ford, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Elvis Presley, made Palm Springs their home. 


Want to know the who’s who, of Hollywood Stars, how owned Palm Springs Estates? click here – http://www.palmspringscelebrityhomesforsale.com/




Gerald Ford’s, 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine, part of Bill Williams collection.

Bill may not have been a Movie Star, or even a celebrity, but he sure lived like one. He bought Gerald Ford’s, 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine in 1978, for it’s history, luxurious interior, and the little holes on the hood, where he could place little American Flags, for special events. 

Gerald Ford’s, 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine, part of Bill Williams collection.

 It wasn’t unusual for Bill and Gloria to cruise down Gerald Ford Drive, with their Dobermans in the back seat.

Gerald Ford’s, 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine, part of Bill Williams collection.

Bill Williams, Father of the Bride, in 1998, waiting for his daughter, Billee and her bridesmaids, to to get in the car.




Gerald Ford’s, 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine, part of Bill Williams collection.

Guests arriving from the airport, for Billee’s and Steve Killer’s rehearsal dinner.



Gerald Ford’s, 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine, part of Bill Williams collection.



Chuck Williams aka, BB1 and Sharrie, on the right, yelling for Billee to hurry up, or she’ll be late for her own wedding.


Gerald Ford’s, 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine, part of Bill Williams collection.

Chuck in the driver’s seat, next to me, on the way to the reception in Newport Beach.

Gerald Ford’s, 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine, part of Bill Williams collection.

 Steve and Billee Killer on the way to their reception.




Gerald Ford’s, 1961 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine, part of Bill Williams collection.

 Bill with his driver’s hat on, picking up his cousins, at the Balboa Bay Club, in Newport Beach, and transporting them to Laguna Beach, for Billee and Steve’s rehearsal dinner.



Thank you for following The Maybelline Vintage Docu-Blog and reading The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It.

Coming soon · Next from Sharrie Williams

Maybe She’s Born With It

The next chapter of the Maybelline family story. Get a text the day it’s out.

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© 2026 Sharrie Williams · All photographs from the Williams family archive