In Memory of Bill H. Teague, Executive Director

Bill H. Teague was in the transportation industry over 41 years. A native of Brevard, NC, he attended Blanton's Business College in Asheville, NC. Blanton's was noted for its trucking and transportation courses. When a person finished at Blanton's, he or she was ready to go to work as a rate or billing clerk without much training. In fact, if you could not afford to attend a college, Blanton's was the only way out of the mountains of western North Carolina. Good jobs simply did not exist for someone coming out of high school.

Bill first came to Charlotte in 1967. His first job was with Johnson Motor Lines as a rate clerk. After several years with Johnson, he left to become a rate clerk at Carolina Freight Carriers in Charlotte. Later, he accepted a position with Associated Transport, also in Charlotte. Associated was the first carrier to consolidate all its rating of freight bills in Charlotte. This was a 24/7 operation in rating all of Associated's freight bills for their entire system. Bill remained with Associated until it ceased operations.

Bill received two Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2008. The first was from Lowes, presented by Steve Palmer. I	GATTA President and NCLTL member Willie McClelland presents Bill with a Beautiful crystal bowl trophy. I
Anna Teague enjoying dessert at the 2008 Conference Banquet. I	A proud Liz Teague admires the trophy. The Christmas event was held at the Gastonia Country Club. I
Bill got to attend the 2008 conference seen here at the Banquet with his “UNC” suit.  I	When he was taking treatment at Duke I told him to be sure and not wear that!  -- VL I
Two is twice as nice. I	Bill was so used to Sea Trail he could do it with his eyes closed! 2005 I
The second Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded in December by The GATTA (Gaston Area Traffic & Transportation Associates) Here Bill listens as Charlie Finley introduces him. I	This is by far my favorite picture. It was the 2005 Conference and the first year Bill & Liz got Anna. Here she goes walking with her new Daddy. God Bless you Bill.  -- VL I

He then joined Mr. H. L. Woody at Veterans Traffic Service in 1978. Veterans Traffic was a rate audit company. Bill married Liz Govender in 1987. In 1988, Bill purchased Veterans Traffic Service from Mr. Woody, who was also the Secretary of the NC Traffic League. So when Bill took over the business, he also started his long tenure with the League.

His great success with developing the League into what it is today has always been associated with Bill's vision of the organization and a rare, totally dedicated and totally devoted passion for the association. As all of us in the industry evolved as transportation changed, so did the League. Still an all-shippers organization in 1988, he chipped away at old prejudices and by 1991, carriers could join the organization. Since then the NCLTL has grown into the body it is today with a membership base consisting of shippers, carriers of all modes of transportation, 4 Port Authorities and associated businesses of the industry. Today's League members hail from many states as far away as Minnesota and as "southern" as Alabama.

Bill was extremely humble and rarely took any credit for himself. He was proud though of two accomplishments. One was the work he and others did through the League concerning fifty-three foot trailers coming into North Carolina. The other was the cultivation and preservation of funds to keep the League strong. Bill witnessed too many organizations falling by the wayside because they could not pay their bills. Any past President you question on this topic will tell you that they heard this more than once.

Bill H. Teague will be remembered as a local icon in transportation industry. We all have been truly blessed in knowing this fine gentleman. He will be forever in our hearts.