William George Company, Lufkin, TX, joined Legacy Foodservice Alliance as a
Distributor Member in January 2010. Founded by William George, Sr. in 1932, the
company is a full-line wholesale foodservice distributor carrying not only produce, but
also refrigerated, frozen, and dry products, including canned, paper, cleaning supplies,
and equipment. In its origins, the company gathered produce orders and William would
drive to the Produce Market in Dallas to pick up product in the afternoon. Making
deliveries before and after school, Mr. George and his five sons, William Jr., Murphy,
Jesse, Frank, and Johnny, supplied produce to their customers by the next day. Today,
with customers ranging from East Texas to parts of Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas,
William George Co. currently services over 2000 customers with 16 salespeople and 20
trucks.
     During the depression in the 1930’s, the George family worked extra hard just to survive.
Mr. George eventually rented a room at the Ice House in Palestine to store produce. In
1948, William George, Sr. built the first warehouse facility in Palestine, which was
operated by his sons and is now managed by Frank George, Jr. The Lufkin warehouse,
originally operated by Murphy George, was built in 1956.
In 1963, the Georges purchased O & S Wholesale Co. in Texarkana and later re-named it
William George Produce Company. This branch was operated by long-time employee
and friend, Kenneth Dukes. A new Texarkana warehouse facility was constructed in
1980, and is now managed by Jeffrey George. A new Lufkin warehouse was constructed
in 1985 and comprised approximately 90,000 square feet total with 35,000 square feet of
refrigerated and freezer space. This facility is now managed by Randy George and in
1994 was expanded with the addition of 50% more dry space as well as quadrupling
freezer space.
     William George Co. feels their employees are a vital part of their family. Without their
support and hard work, the company would not have had the growth and success over the
years to make it what it is today. William George Co. has a school foodservice
consultant, which works with and advises schools on their menu and dietary programs.
This department also handles all bidding for schools, state agencies, and prisons.
William George Co. has an annual food show which offers their customers the
opportunity to see the wide variety of products offered. The show has grown
tremendously year after year. Some suppliers refer to the show as “The Best in The
Country”. William George Co. is family owned and operated and believes their
customers are a part of their family. They feel customers should be referred to by name
and not a number. The current stockholders of the corporation are third generation
Jeffrey, Randy, and Frank, Jr. with the fourth generation now joining the forces.