Charles L. Wimbley, founder of Wimbley Group ad agency, dies at the age of 60

(June 2, 2005) Charles Wimbley, Sr., who founded The Wimbley Group advertising agency 19 years ago, died on May 29th following a long illness. He was 60 years old. Chuck, as he was known to friends and colleagues, worked in the marketing industry for more than three-and-a-half decades as an executive with major corporations and with advertising agencies.

A native of Shorter, Ala., Wimbley's professional career began after receiving his MBA at Western Michigan University. His first position was with the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Wimbley went on to executive positions at Scott Paper Co, Johnson Wax, Johnson & Johnson and the Burrell Advertising agency. In 1987 he opened the doors of his own ad agency, The Wimbley Group.  Now located in the Chicago suburbs of Itasca, Illinois, the firm grew to become one of the nation's largest African-American owned ad agencies.

Among the present and past clients that have appeared on the Wimbley Group's roster are Mazda, Kraft, Campbell's Soup Co., Verizon, BP Petroleum, Kellogg's, Kemper, GMC, KFC, NurtaSweet Co., Coca-Cola, Nabisco and Coors. 

Wimbley Sr., waged a long battle to keep his agency in business after he faced kidney failure and a transplant operation. His son, Chuck Wimbley, Jr., the agency's Vice President - Account Director, took over the duties of running the agency and now assumes the helm.

Wimbley had been a life-long advocate for academic and athletic achievement, serving on the Board of Trustees at Aquinas College, the Haworth College of Business Council at Western Michigan University; and the National Wrestling Association Board of Directors.

In addition to his son, Wimbley is survived by his wife of 41 years, Lita Wimbley, his children, Dawn Nabors, Ronald Wimbley, Karin D. Wimbley-Broadnax and Jessica Wimbley.  

Visitation for friends takes place Friday, June 2, 6:00 pm at Harper Funeral Home, 521 Douglas Ave., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, 269-342-1000.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 3rd at 10:30 am at Allen Chapel AME Church, 804 W. North St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, 269-385-2934.


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