William ‘Bill’ Self Propst, Sr., 81, of Huntsville, passed away Friday. Mr. Propst was born at Walkers Chapel Alabama to Michael and Margaret Trippi. Rev Paul N. Propst later adopted Bill. Mr. Propst graduated from Columbia Military Academy in Columbia, Tennessee and then from Samford University with a bachelor of Science in Pharmacy.
Mr. Propst founded Propst Drugs of Huntsville, and Kmart Pharmacies. Kmart purchased the Pharmacies from Mr. Propst, in 1970. He became the Pharmacy Division President until his retirement in 1986. While a Kmart employee he started Qualitest Pharmaceuticals, later purchasing a partnership interest in the firm. In 1988, he purchased all of Kmart’s remaining stock and became Kmart’s primary supplier for generic drugs. Mr. Propst purchased Medico Pharma, a small manufacturing plant in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1992, changing its name to Vintage Pharmaceuticals. The firm grew to be one of the largest generic drug manufacturing companies in the United States.
Most recently, Mr. Propst founded Propst Properties, a leading regional real estate company with offices in Huntsville and Birmingham. Late in his career, he focused much of his attention to philanthropic activities individually and in in partnership with The Propst Foundation and made substantial donations to Samford University, Hudson Alpha Institute, Randolph School, renovations of Propst Arena, and the construction of the Eloise McDonald Propst Welcome Center at Huntsville Botanical Gardens, among others.
Survivors include his wife, Eloise McDonald Propst; four children, William Self Propst Jr., Emily Propst Reiney (Michael), Charles Vincent Propst (Tracy) and Michael Jay Propst (Jennifer); nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Visitation will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 3, 2019, at First United Methodist Church. The funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. with Dr. Glenn Connor officiating. A private family burial will be immediately after the service at Maple Hill Cemetery. (www.laughlinservice.com)
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The First United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.
