Chamber honors Levi and Lillis Troyer for a lifetime of commitment to community
By Dave Mast
February 10, 2014
1038
Two young people in love, with high aspirations and no idea where to start life together.
That was the plight of Levi and Lillis Troyer, the 2013 Holmes County Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award winners.
The couple turned ideas into success, and along the way were able to bless many, as their endeavors continue today to be a huge part of Holmes Countys success.
Early on, they had little, but they had each other, and that was enough.
At that (early) point in their lives, I am guessing that they were far more in love than they had a lot of business savvy, said longtime friend and employee David A Miller, who was the president of Walnut Hills for many years.
However, the young couple had an ace in the hole.
Lillis Troyer wasnt always a Troyer. Before they wed, she was a Mullet, and daughter of Holmes County business magnate Emanuel Mullet.
From that humble beginning of a hotel turned into a nursing home in Dalton, the Troyers built an empire that has touched the lives of countless families throughout the area.
The senior care-minded couple began with Shady Lawn Nursing Home in Dalton, and that grew into Walnut Hills Nursing Home in Walnut Creek. Walnut Hills eventually expanded into a gigantic senior retirement community, and continues to serve a vital role in the Holmes County area.
However, the Troyers also branched out into the food industry, and soon Dutch Corp. had brought to Holmes County Der Dutchman Restaurant, an eatery that soon had people from near and far making the trek to Amish Country.
Their fingerprints are all over some of Holmes Countys largest, most successful endeavors.
However, their lives were not simply consumed with building an empire, said Miller.
Maybe less obvious was their quiet, but significant involvement with individuals and organizations, said Miller. They were involved in education, mission work, community service and economic development. This came through their generosity of time, a listening ear, good counsel and financial resources.
Miller said that throughout his years working for and alongside the Troyers, he quickly realized how important caring, honesty and doing the right thing was in the business world.
I consider this to be a very meaningful award, said Levi Troyer of the Chamber honor. We are very fortunate to live in Holmes County. The support we received, especially in the beginning, was overwhelming and absolutely outstanding. It gave Lillis and I the confidence that we needed at that time to do what we did and become a success at it.
The character, the work ethic, the business ethic, the honesty that you find in this community, it cannot be duplicated anywhere else. This is the greatest community that I know of in which to do business. We will never forget the support and generosity.
Troyer said that more than a half century ago, he and his wife Lillis began a journey into uncharted waters, at least for them. He said that whatever they did, they did it together, whether it was in the business world or raising their children.
He said that his wife was a driving force behind every aspect of his life.
Lillis was a tower of strength, support and endurance; has been and is today, said Troyer. She has a real inner strength and endurance.
Troyer added that in 1961, his father-in-law was hugely instrumental in getting them on their feet and headed in the right direction. He said he had an amazingly gifted man from which he could emulate and learn. He said that Emanuel Mullet worked with them through the mid-1980s, until his health began failing him.
Here was this strong, broad shouldered, energetic entrepreneur, with all of this great business experience, and me, said Troyer. I had basically no business experience. I felt a little bit like the ant and the elephant traveling across the bridge. About half way across the bridge the ant looks at the elephant and says, Wow, are we shaking this bridge. But I discovered quickly that he was not just a strong person but a humble person.
That was something that Troyer said he tried to emulate his whole life.
He had a great heart and a strong desire to help people succeed, said Troyer of his father-in-law.
Following in Emanuels footsteps, the Troyers have left some large footprints in the fabric of the Holmes County community.
The Troyers journey has been one of great joy and satisfaction as they have walked through life together.
Levi has been my biggest hero for 52 years, and for the three years that we dated, added Lillis.
Together, they have brought so much to the county, as their hard work, faith and desire to give back continues to give back to the community.
