RIP: We'll leave the light on for ya....

William Becker had a vision on a cross-country trip in 1960, "a cheap clean place to stay for $6.00" that vision today is known as Motel 6.

In 1968, Becker and his friend Paul Green ( a low income housing developer) sold THE M6 that had become 180 motels for $14 million. Today, Motel 6 is owned by Accor North America in Carrollton, Tex., and has about 800 motels in the United States and Canada, with rates ranging from $35 to $80 a night.

Besides his son Tod, of Kingman, Mr. Becker is survived by a daughter, Joann Sharp, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; a brother, Don, of Santa Barbara; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. His wife of 59 years, the former Joan Bolas, died in 2005.

Mr Becker was 85.