William L. Gherra; Former CEO of PayLess Drug Stores

William L. Gherra, 81, former chairman and chief executive officer of PayLess Drug Stores. Gherra joined the company as an advertising and marketing specialist and became president in 1964, when the discount firm had six retail outlets. By his retirement in 1977, there were 100 PayLess stores throughout Nevada, California and Hawaii. Before joining PayLess, Gherra worked for Safeway Stores, where he helped launch Family Circle magazine. In Lake Tahoe on Saturday.