William York’s Journey in Trucking
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — At just 14 years old, William York left school to accompany his brother who was a truck driver. “I went along to keep him awake,” York, now 63, shared during a recent chat with The Trucker at an Interstate 40 truck stop.
After some time on the road, York decided he wanted to be a truck driver himself. He began his driving career in a cabover International 4000, even though he didn’t have a driver’s license at the time. “Driving a big rig was quite an adventure,” he recalled.
It wasn’t long before York faced his first encounter with law enforcement. He humorously recounted being pulled over in Tennessee at night while transporting cattle. “The policeman asked for my license, and since I had none, he just looked confused. After circling the truck, he decided to let me go, saying he never wanted to see me again.”
Eventually, at 18, York obtained a chauffeur’s license. “You could get one if three licensed drivers vouched for you,” he explained. In 1992, he transitioned smoothly into the new commercial driver’s license program due to being grandfathered in.
Though he started as an owner-operator, York currently drives for Cargo Solution Express in Fontana, California. He still holds a fond memory of his old Peterbilt 379, which rests in a pasture at his home. Like many in the industry, York believes public perception of trucking needs improvement, stating, “The only time you hear about truckers is when a serious accident occurs.”
York also expressed concern over the lack of understanding among passenger vehicle drivers about sharing the road with large trucks, particularly during passing maneuvers. Furthermore, he worries about new drivers who panic when experiencing issues like a blown tire. “Many slam on the brakes, but it’s better to simply ease off the gas,” he advised.
Dressed in a jacket adorned with speed racing logos, York shared that he enjoys driving fast but knows how to handle high speeds responsibly. He can cruise at 80 mph but usually drives 75-80 during quiet hours. While he appreciates the need for regulations, he is frustrated with electronic logging devices, especially when finding parking is a challenge. “Recently, I found only reserved spots and told the attendant to wake me when the reserved vehicle arrived; it never did.” York, who manages high blood pressure and uses a CPAP machine, plans to continue working for three more years before entering retirement. Reflecting on his career, he realized he has spent 52 years in trucking, a remarkable journey that began just to keep his brother awake.
