In an industry where rigs come and go and drivers chase the next paycheck, some stories stand the test of time. Bill Foose isn’t just a truck driver—he’s a living piece of trucking history. At over 80 years young, this New Jersey native still turns heads with the same pristine 1980 Kenworth W900A he spec’d out and picked up new in November 1979. Forty-five years, nearly three million miles, and a book full of maintenance receipts later, the truck (and the man) remain as sharp as ever.
Bill Foose didn’t grow up in a trucking family. Growing up in New Jersey, he simply loved watching big rigs roll down the highway. At just 17, he climbed behind the wheel for the first time—no family connections, no special pull, just a strong work ethic and parents who were happy to see their son with a steady weekly paycheck. That first ride was in an old Kenworth with a 5×3 “brownie” transmission he hadn’t even learned to shift yet. From that moment, he was hooked.
Fast-forward and Foose built something real. He founded Foose Transport (his father had early involvement in the family business roots going back to 1967), grew it to six drivers, and personally bought more than 50 trucks over the decades—most of them from the same Omaha Kenworth dealer. He’s hauled everything under the sun, with a heavy focus on refrigerated freight in recent years. Every lower-48 state and Canada? Checked off. (The 1980 W900A hasn’t made it to Alaska, but Bill has—for hunting trips.)
The Rig That Became a Legend: 1980 Kenworth W900A “Foose Transport”
This isn’t just any classic long-nose—it’s a rolling time capsule Bill designed and maintained himself.
- Engine: Original V8 Caterpillar (chromed in 1986), rebuilt three times, still purring strong.
- Transmission: Classic twin-stick 5×4—he still floats gears by ear like the old days.
- Wheelbase: Right around 290–300 inches.
- Frame: Ordered aluminum (it cracked), so he swapped in steel rails in Santa Maria, California in 1986.
- Signature touches: Deep blue paint scheme he laid out decades ago, endless chrome (“Chrome gets you home”), original blue interior, and a massive steering wheel he only recently added power steering to (and he already wants it gone again). No Jake brake ever—“That’s for kids,” he laughs. He runs a West Coast exhaust brake and a smoker RS muffler to stay legal and sound right.
The truck wears the number 22 on the step—just like it always has. Bill still polishes the chrome himself. At truck shows like the 2024 Athens Truck Show, crowds gather not just for the shine, but for the man who’s lived the life.
Road Stories That Define a Legend
One Christmas morning, Bill was headed to California when the southern route through Wyoming iced over. He detoured through New Mexico… and lost a head on the engine on the side of the road. No shop open, no tow truck coming— so he fixed it right there as his “Christmas present” to himself. That’s the kind of resourceful, never-quit attitude that built this industry.
He’s seen the changes firsthand: a new Kenworth in 1967 cost $22,000. Today? Try $250,000 to get started. “It got worse,” he says plainly. Yet Bill never lost his pride in the truck or the profession. He still believes skill beats gadgets every time—you listen to the engine, double-clutch when you need to, and keep rolling.
Why Legends Like Bill Foose Matter to Fleets Today
Bill Foose represents everything great about trucking: pride in your equipment, decades of safe miles, and a no-excuses work ethic. At a time when fleets are fighting a driver shortage and skyrocketing turnover, drivers cut from this cloth are gold. They don’t just haul freight—they represent your brand on every highway.
The challenge? Finding and keeping them. Modern drivers want respect, modern equipment, fair pay, and a company that values experience the way Bill values his chrome.
That’s where Elite HR Logistics comes in. We specialize in connecting carriers with exactly the kind of professional, dedicated drivers who become legends in their own right—whether they’re old-school chrome warriors or the next generation ready to learn the craft.
Ready to Build Your Fleet of Legends? If you’re tired of high turnover and short-term fixes, it’s time to partner with a staffing team that understands the culture Bill Foose helped build.
Call us today at 1-800-892-3250 or visit elitehrlogistics.com to discuss how we can help you recruit and retain the best drivers in the business. If you’re a job seeker, head over to elitehrcareers.com/careers for our job board!
Because the road still needs legends—and the right staffing partner makes sure you’ve got them behind the wheel.