MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Kemmons Wilson, who founded the Holiday Inn
chain, died at home here on Feb. 12. He was 90.
Widely regarded as the father of the modern-day hotel, Wilson
opened the first Holiday Inn hotel on Aug. 1, 1952, in Memphis
after returning from a family road trip discouraged about the lack
of comfortable accommodations at moderate prices.
Holiday Inns introduced the kids-stay-free policy and offered
air-conditioning, swimming pools and on-site restaurants.
Today, there are more than 1,000 Holiday Inn hotels in the U.S.,
and the brand exists in more than 70 countries.
Wilson is survived by his five children: Spence, Bob, Kemmons
Jr., Betty and Carole; 14 grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren. Dorothy Wilson, his wife of 59 years, died
Feb. 10, 2001.