CENTRAL - Bill Simon, the president of a family-owned tire and auto care shop in Baton Rouge, died Friday morning after he was hit by a car while checking his mailbox. He was 88.

The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office said the crash happened on Gurney Road around 5:30 a.m.. Simon was walking to his mailbox when he was struck by a vehicle and ultimately died from his injuries.

Simon owned and operated Simple Simon, a tire shop on Airline Highway, which ran commercials with WBRZ for years. Mayor-President Sid Edwards spoke to WBRZ Friday morning and said Simon was a "pillar of the community."

"Mr. Bill Simon was an icon in our community. We need more Bill Simons in East Baton Rouge Parish," the mayor said.

There was no immediate word on whether the driver of the vehicle would be facing charges.

Central Private School Elementary on Gurney Road was closed Friday as all traffic getting into the school was blocked by investigators working the scene.

Simon founded Simple Simon in 1966 and was a former district governor of the East Baton Rouge Lion's Club where he received the "Melvin Jones Award," as well as collecting eyeglasses at his stores for the club's "Recycle for Sight" program. 

According to Simple Simon's website, he also fundraise for Women's Hospital's breast cancer awareness initiatives. 

In 2013, Simon's son Bill Simon Jr. died in a car crash.