Education
Born in Michigan, Avis graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1933, and served in the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War.
Born in Michigan, Avis graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1933, and served in the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War.
When he got out, he bought a stake in a Ford dealership and began his plan to rent cars at airports. He said that he got the idea when as a pilot he could not find ground transport at airports. Avis opened Avis Rent A Carolina at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Michigan and at Miami International Airport in Florida.
He sold the company in 1954 for $8 million.
Avis would later head Avis Enterprises which invested in high tech electronic companies. On his paternal side, Avis is distantly related to the Portuguese royal dynasty House of Aviz, who ruled Portugal in the 14th century.
He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame. He died at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan of natural causes.
His remains are interred at Elm Lawn Cemetery in Bay City.
He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2000.