months later , he was in an accident and hit with mortar . Pillans pointed out numerous scars on his arm from an extensive artery injury , and he needed more than 300 stitches in various places from shrapnel . He received a medical discharge one morning in 1970 and drove home from San Antonio , where he was stationed , the same night .
“ The next morning , I was sitting in front of Corsicana Auto Parts ,” he said .
Maxfield did not hesitate to hire him back . He went from making $ 200 a month in the military to $ 500 a month at the auto parts store . He became the assistant manager right away . He worked at the store for one more year .
THE BEGINNING OF B ( BUTCH ) AND G ( GARY ) AUTO PARTS
In August of 1972 , Pillans and his uncle , Richard Myrle Hodge , also known as “ Butch ,” went into business together , forming B ( Butch ) and G ( Gary ) Auto Parts . Since Corsicana Auto Parts was already in business , and they were first in the phone book , Butch and Gary wanted a name that would come before them . Pillans chuckled when sharing this information , “ in business you ’ ve got to think of every angle .” Originally the store was not in the location it is now . Butch and Gary bought out Joe L . Wards Department Store located down the street from their current store . It was across the alley from what was Tekell Furniture now Canterbury Court .
In the Spring of 1979 , the building where B & G is in now was auctioned off at the courthouse , and Pillans placed the winning bid . He said one of the hardest things about going into business against Corsicana Auto Parts was Maxfield was so good to him , “ he treated me like I was his son ,” he said . However , Maxfield respected Gary ’ s decision , and they remained remarkably close through the years . Pillans continued to buy things from Corsicana Auto Parts and vice versa . Butch and Gary remained partners until 1998 . Butch wanted to retire and start traveling , so Pillans began giving Butch his paycheck every week until he had him paid in full in 2000 .
TIMES HAVE CHANGED
Pillans said he held out as long as he could without learning to do business with a computer on his desk . He knew how to locate parts quicker in a catalog than he ever could on the computer . He spoke of challenging a young computer salesman to such a dual . However , when the suppliers he orders his parts from switched to computers , he did not have a choice but to conform . He has gotten quicker with the keyboard , but you can tell he still loves his catalogs . Carolyn , his dedicated wife , has been working alongside her husband since 1979 . Gary said that his customers come in to talk to her as much as they do to him .
Laughing , he said , “ my employees like her more than they do me because she writes the checks .” But very lovingly , he said he did not know what he would do without Carolyn because he cannot find anyone to do everything she does .
Currently there are three parttime employees who work at B & G . One is Robert Thurston who is no stranger to the auto parts business . He owned Thurston Automotive for many years in Corsicana . Business for B & G Auto Parts has changed over the past 50 years from selling to car garages and dealers to now more farmers and ranchers . Pillans carries an abundant supply of filters for dozers , tractors , and eighteen wheelers . He ensures the store is always stocked , or if not , he will get what a customer needs promptly . His stock and prices are competitive with the big box stores .
CUSTOMER SERVICE IS KEY AND THE FUTURE OF B & G
When asked if he has any plans of retiring his answer was , “ I am 77 and would like to still be here , at the store , when I am 80 , but even then , I can ’ t say I will retire .”
Gary and Carolyn have three children , 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren that keep them busy . Hence , there are hidden gems in the back of B & G such as a regulation basketball goal with a three- point line painted on the grooved floor , batting cages , a wood working counter , and a few John Deere riding toys .
Pillans said he prays every day for his store to stay open , he treats his customers like he wants to be treated , and he knows that God has been good to him .
Fall 2022 | Explore Corsicana 9