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Bill Day, a longtime stock car racing supporter who put Hall of Fame driver Doug Ingalls in his first Dirt Late Model, died Tuesday morning after a battle with cancer. The Tyler, Texas, resident was 84.

In the automotive and racing business nearly 50 years, his Bill Day Tire and Day Motorsports, a catalog company that supplied racing equipment worldwide, sponsored many top-notch drivers including Ingalls, Billy Moyer and others over several decades. (Pictured is a T-shirt from the late 1980s.)

"The memories and times we all shared were some of the best years of our racing memories," Doug Ingalls's wife Susie wrote on Facebook, adding that "he was always there for us. Our hearts and prayers go out today for his family. He was a great man, mentor, cheerleader and most of all a great friend."

Besides his automotive businesses, Day served two years in the U.S. Air Force and several years in the Air Force Reserve.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Martha Day, along with two daughters and a grandson. Visitation is 4-7 p.m Friday, Jan. 24, at Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler. Graveside services are at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas, 75701; The Salvation Army of Tyler, 633 N Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75702; Marvin United Methodist Church Missions, 300 W. Erwin, Tyler, TX 75702 or the charity of your choice. Find a complete obituary at stewartfamilyfuneral.com.