W illis Johnson is a self-made American billionaire who built his fortune by founding Copart, a global leader in online vehicle auctions. His is a classic rags-to-riches story. After returning from service as a Vietnam War veteran, he started his business career by buying a single auto scrap yard in California in 1982. He gradually acquired more salvage yards and pioneered the use of a live, online auction platform to sell damaged and salvage vehicles to a global network of buyers, such as dismantlers, rebuilders, and used car dealers.

This innovative use of technology transformed the salvage auto auction industry, and he built Copart into a massive, publicly traded company with operations in numerous countries. He served as the company's longtime CEO for decades, overseeing its incredible growth, before stepping back from the role. His vast fortune is derived from his large stake in the company he founded from a single scrap yard. He is also the author of a book, "Junk to Gold," which chronicles his entrepreneurial journey.