Get to Know Billy DiDonato

My name is William J. DiDonato, better known as "Billy D." I was the sole proprietor and auto body technician of Billy D's Auto Body Concepts, LLC in Philadelphia. I was in business for 42 years before retiring in 2022.

I was born and raised in South Philadelphia in a fabulous home in a neighborhood called Parker Park. Growing up as a kid in the '60s and '70s, I took a liking to cars. The automobile was a fascinating machine, not just for transporting people but for its true product itself. I immediately fell in love and wanted to know everything about it.

The best part for me is the beauty of it all: this amazing machine in motion or parked in the most beautiful colors, shiny chrome, soft leather, so many brands and styles, American-made or foreign-made. There were so many choices and so much to learn. I started to go further with this fascination, asking my dad to take me to local dealerships so I could collect automobile information. The showroom became my new candy store.

Turning 16 and finally having the ability to drive, I got to feel the personal experience. The passion grew, and my journey began. I learned to repair and take care of cars in my parents' back driveway. Upon graduating high school and working in the auto industry after school from the time I was 16, I decided to go into business for myself. My supportive parents helped me make it happen.

In the early '80s, I opened "Billy D’s Auto Body Concepts," and the creativity began to flow. A new tool entered the industry called “customizing.” I soon became the leading young man in the city to make a car or truck very special and different from the others on the road. I could watch a car drive by and identify that one was different from the others of the same model and brand. I loved that special look.

For 44 years, I painted, installed, ran frame machines, and turned wrecked cars and trucks into the beautiful machines they deserved to be. The best feeling was watching someone’s reaction when they saw their car—seeing their face light up and hearing the "wow." That proud moment made me realize I was an expert at my craft, a lot of which was self-taught over the years.

In 2019, I was diagnosed with stage 4 bladder cancer, a downside of my career choice. Benzene, a chemical that can enter through your skin, wreaked havoc on my health. I am a very lucky man; I beat the cancer but decided it was time to retire.