LAGUNA NIGUEL : Where There’s a Willie, There’s a Way

The sign at a lumberyard along Interstate 5 says simply, “Do You Know Willie G.”

Apparently, quite a few people think they do.

The sign at Timberline Redwood Co. has drawn attention from a former New York Jets football player who claims to be Willie G., and from fans of the 1960s rock band the Midnighters, which had a member known as Willie G.

A number of motorcyclists have been stopping by too, and the owner of Timberline says they have the right answer: “Willie G.” is Willie G. Davidson, son of the co-founder of Harley-Davidson Motor Co.

Ron Shearer, who owns the lumberyard on Camino Capistrano, hopes that somebody can hook him up with Willie G., who is vice president of design at the legendary company.

Shearer, 42, said he wants to open a Harley showroom and restaurant on the lumberyard site, but franchises to sell the company’s vehicles are so popular that he has not even been able to get through on the phone.

The situation has become critical for Shearer, who says his property, along with his income, has been shrunk drastically by construction of the San Joaquin Hills toll road.

“We got tired of putting up ‘Going Out of Business’ signs,” Shearer said. So he posted the Willie G. billboard instead.

The lumberyard, which once had annual revenue of $1.5 million, is now doing only $250,000, Shearer said. “I’m trying to make a living,” he said.

Since he put up the sign up, which bears a small Harley-Davidson logo, several people have pulled over to chat about it, he said. Last week, a former employee of Harley-Davidson who lives in South County said he would try to pull some strings.

The former employee, who asked not to be identified, expressed sympathy for Shearer. “Here’s a guy who looks like he’s surrounded and losing his business. . . . He grasped at the only successful thing Americans make beside atom bombs.”

Shearer said he figures it can’t hurt to pursue his dream.

“You never know who goes by on this freeway,” he said.