Willi Klein, the founder and owner of Willis Ski and Snowboard Shops in Pittsburgh, PA, passed away after recently celebrating his 90th birthday. The Klein family announced his passing this past weekend.
Born in Kufstein, Austria, on March 15, 1933, he skied until he was 85.
Willi grew up in wartime Europe and spent his early years working in the family painting business. He was an accomplished athlete playing for the local pro soccer team for ten years and winning the city ski championships eight times.
In his early twenties, Willi moved on from ski racing, attended the Kruckenhauser Ski Instructors Academy, and taught skiing in Lech and Mayrhofen, Austria. In 1960, he came to the United States to teach skiing in New Hampshire, where he met his wife.
Willi was the owner and founder of Willi’s Ski and Snowboard Shops and changed, inspired and influenced thousands of skiers and snowboarders.
He opened his first Willi’s Ski Shop in 1970 in Castle Shannon, PA, which became one of America’s largest ski and snowboard shops, winning three times the best ski shop in the United States. He and his wife built a business and family together, but he never lost touch with his Austrian roots.
Willi leaves behind his wife, Linda, two sons, a brother, and two grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 5 at Cefalo’s Banquet and Event Center from 4 pm to 8 pm at 428 Washington Avenue in Carnegie, PA.
Photos courtesy Klein family
