A WELL-KNOWN Bradford haulier has died aged 81.

William George Jackson was the man behind a fleet of trucks bearing his name - at one time WG Jackson lorries were a common sight on roads across the district and further afield.

Jackson’s trucks made regular trips to Italy and France and occasionally Denmark and Sweden from their base.

William was born in Dundee and raised by his grandparents until the age of 13 when he moved to live in Northumberland with his dad until joining the armed forces.

Once married they had a daughter, Anita and later moved to Keighley.

In the 1970s, after working in various haulage jobs, William set up on his own, taking his expertise as far away as Saudi Arabia.

After divorcing in the early 1980s, he moved to Bradford with his new partner, adding to the family with daughter Rachael.

It was then that WG Jackson Haulage was born. “It was originally based at the former Territorial Army barracks in Green Lane, Baildon, with just two trucks,” said Rachael. “A few years later he moved to the former council cleansing depot in Hammerton Street where he had another two trucks and four trailers, making trips to the Continent.”

Business was good, prompting a move to Lower Lane, Bradford and an increase in trucks to 12. In the mid-1990s the firm changed its name to Night Speed, specialising in loading and unloading container ships, and storage.

Not one to put his feet up, after retiring aged 65 William went to work for a firm researching title deeds, travelling across the UK.

“He was always on the go,” says Rachael. “I was talking to one of his former drivers and he said that as a boss he was fair but demanding and was respected as the gaffer.”

Adds Anita: “He was such a big figure in the haulage industry. He was a strict dad - you had to toe the line but we never went without.”

William had two granddaughters Donna and Andrea and seven great grandchildren Hayden, Harrison, Stanley, Lyra, Raene, Kitt and Ruben.

“They adored him, he was the apple of their eyes,” says Anita.

For 30 years William lived in Norman Lane, Eccleshill with his wife, who died last year. Suffering health problems, two years ago he moved in with Anita at her family home in Keighley.

“He has had Rolls Royce service from his family and his carers too,” says Anita.

She jokes: “We will all miss his grumpiness. He was in charge of the remote control and what we were having for tea. The house is very quiet without him.”

He is also missed by the family’s many pets: six cats, including two Manx cats, one of which is “mooching around looking for him.”

William died peacefully at home with his family around him. His funeral will be held on Friday May 13 at 12noon at The Knowle, Victoria Rd, Keighley BD21 1ER and afterwards at Oakworth Crematorium.