WTC History 101

Waxler’s presence on the river started in the early 1900’s when as a boy Sherman Ray Waxler helped his father who owned a ferry on the Mississippi River working between Arkansas and Tennessee at Richardson Landing. Ray continued working on the river for Ohio Barge Company and Mississippi Valley Barge Line Company, ultimately earning a pilot’s licenses in the 30’s.

Ray founded Wax Oil in 1946 with a fuel oil delivery service providing farmers with fuel for their farm equipment. The same year Ray opened his first gas station in Munford, Tennessee. In 1947 he added a station in Covington, Tennessee and two more fuel delivery trucks. A third station was opened in Millington, Tennessee during the early 50’s.
In 1951 Ray started Waxler Towing Company in Memphis Tennessee and began building the company’s first towboat, a 1200 HP vessel named the M/V Jerry Waxler. The business began by providing towboats to transport other company’s barges. He then continued building and purchasing towboats and barges for cargo transportation.

Ray’s two sons, Billy and Eddie entered the business during the 50’s and continued operating the business through the 70’s and 80’s.

In 1985 Waxler Towing was the first company to transport cargo on the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway by transporting 2.7 million gallons of gasoline from Meraux, La. to Sheffield, Al for Murphy Oil Company. This historic trip received national attention and earned an article in the National Geographic Magazine. The gas stations were sold in the early 90’s and the focus was sharpened even more on the transportation division.

Waxler Towing’s third generation began operating the business as Billy and Eddie’s sons joined the management team in the early 90’s. Since joining the team the company has achieved many goals and achievements highlighted by the following:

• 1990 Joined the AWO
• 1994 Purchased first double hull tank barge
• 1997 Opened an office in Houston TX
• 1998 Memphis Business Journal Small Business of the Year Finalist
• 1999 RCP certified
• 2001 Received Shell Deer Park  Environmental Excellence Award for 3rd Consecutive Year
• 2002 Signed contract with The Seaman’s Church Institute
• 2003 Petroleum tank barge fleet 100% double hull

Alan, Damon, and Ted Waxler have continued the operations to present with the same principals and ideals inherited by Sherman Ray Waxler.