William J. Tucker
William J. “Bill” Tucker, May 18, 1938-October 30, 2023 – Freight Pioneer
Bill Tucker was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, employer and friend. He is survived by his two sons Jeff (Heather) and Jim (Joan) Tucker both of Haddonfield, and his six grandchildren, Anna, Jacob, Suzanne, James, Kathryn and Megan. Born May 18, 1938, in Norwood, PA to Jacob and Ruth (nee Rudlin) Tucker. He was predeceased by his wife Barbara (nee Foresta), his brother Tom and sister Ann Lang. Bill graduated from Collingswood High School (NJ) in 1956 and was a drum player in a jazz band in Philadelphia, while earning his B.A. from Temple University. After seeing John F. Kennedy on Temple’s campus in 1960, he was moved to join the first class of the United States Peace Corps, serving in the Philippines. He met his wife Barbara while working in Phoenixville, PA and fell madly in love. Their love affair lasted throughout their lives together in Audubon, Delran and Moorestown, NJ.
In 1971, after his father’s death, Bill left a promising career as a computer programmer to acquire his father’s business, Tucker Company Worldwide, now based in Haddonfield, NJ, and is America’s oldest privately held freight broker. He quickly earned his master’s degree in business administration. Throughout his career, Bill cemented a legacy as a leader, a fighter and a trailblazer in the transportation industry.
Bill played a pivotal role in the trucking deregulation movement both nationally and locally, advocating for, and educating those in the industry. In 1978 he co-founded a trade association to guide a fledgling industry through new and turbulent times. Perhaps a few dozen brokers existed then. Today, that trade association has become the preeminent organization representing brokers and forwarders, representing members with annual revenues twice as large as the U.S. beer industry. Bill later co-created its educational certification program, that has certified thousands of freight professionals across North America. He received numerous lifetime achievement awards and recognitions, locally and nationally.
Few people could outwork, out hustle or out write Bill. He was an enlightened business owner; he built a safe and positive culture at Tucker Company. In his 32 years running Tucker, he consistently demonstrated servant leadership. He cared about his people and subscribed to the same philosophy of Philadelphia’s Hal Rosenbluth’s book, “The Customer Comes Second,” whereby you hire the great people, treat them well, and in turn they will take great care of your customers. Whether you were an employee, a customer or a supplier, Bill sought to build trusting and lasting relationships. Upon his retirement in 2003, sons Jeff and Jim bought and expanded the business he spent three decades constructing.
Bill loved his wife and family, and his six grandchildren held a special place in his heart. A long-time member of Riverton Country Club, he was an avid golfer, sailor, voracious reader and a prolific speaker and industry writer. During and after the Peace Corps, he traveled the world from 1961-63 and his love of travel was lifelong. Bill will be remembered as a kind, friendly and always positive gentleman, who asked you “how are you doing?” and was genuinely interested in how you were.
Mr. Tucker’s family will receive friends on Saturday, Nov. 4th, 10-10:45 AM at Our Lady of Good Counsel RC Church, Moorestown, NJ; where his Funeral Mass will follow at 11 AM. Interment, private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association of Delaware Valley (alz.org/delval).