Route 66 artist Willem Bor dies

Willem Bor, a co-founder of the Dutch Route 66 Association best-known for his detailed miniatures of Route 66 landmarks, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 61.

This message was left on his Facebook account Wednesday morning:

The words within the shape of a Route 66 shield were no doubt intentional.

Knowing Bor was dying, Dutch Route 66 Association executive director Dries Bessels on Sunday asked for donations to to cover the cost of shipping 13 of Bor’s miniatures to the United States so they can find permanent homes in Route 66 museums.

The models to be shipped are:

  • Ambler’s Texaco Gas Station, Dwight, Illinois
  • John’s Modern Cabins, near Arlington, Missouri
  • The Dairy King, Commerce, Oklahoma
  • Magnolia Service Station, Texola, Oklahoma
  • Water Hole #2, Texola, Oklahoma
  • Cadillac de Ville 1959, Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo
  • Whiting Bros. Station, Shamrock, Texas (reserved for Garry Dagett/town of McLean)
  • 66 Super Service Station, Alanreed, Texas(for now reserved for Garry Dagett/town of McLean)
  • Little Juarez Cafe, Glenrio, Texas
  • Texaco Gas Station, Glenrio, Texas
  • Twin Arrows Trading Post, a few miles east of Winona, Arizona
  • Mr. D’z, Kingman, Arizona (for now reserved for Jim Hinckley/town of Kingman)
  • Cucamonga Service Station, Rancho Cucamongo, California

If you know of a museum on Route 66 that would be happy to display one or two of these miniatures, contact Bessels know at dries(at)rte66(dot)nl

The good news is Bessels reported nearly $4,000 was raised in 48 hours. The second bit of good news is Bessels reached a deal with shipping company DHL to transport the miniatures overseas for free. Leftover money after other expenses from the effort to relocate the models will be given to Bor’s widow, Monique.

Later Wednesday, Bessels wrote on Facebook:

My sincere thanks to everybody who sent money to make his last wish come true. I am very glad he knew how many people wished to help him!

Bor first began traveling Route 66 in 2006 and began creating his miniatures in 2010. At the time, none of his creations were for sale; he said he made them for his own amusement. Most of his works were 1/25th scale, made of painted cardboard or balsa wood.

In 2014, he and five other compatriots formed the Dutch Route 66 Association during a dinner in Amsterdam.

(Image of Willem Bor in 2010 with his miniature of the Nelson Tavern of Lebanon, Missouri, via Facebook)

6 thoughts on “Route 66 artist Willem Bor dies

  1. In this era of computer games and virtual reality, it is good to see someone who returned to simple materials for his hobby. Today I saw a grown man aimlessly flying a shop-bought quadracopter at a local park. Sixty years ago we made model aircraft from balsa wood, and tissue paper strengthened with ‘dope’. We powered them using miniature diesel engines – and we flew them on control lines. The well-off boys had radio-control units.

    The obviously well-constructed models of the Route 66 buildings deserve places in museums along the road. They may encourage others to take up Wilem’s reins and thus keep alive a little more of the past. The cost of the materials is minimal; but the time and patience are where the value of the results comes in.

  2. I offer my deepest and heartfelt condolences to Willem Bor’s family and loved ones. We’ve lost a contributor to the road.

  3. We are so sorry to hear about Willemstad Bor’s passing. Our heart felt sympathy goes out to his family and friends.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.