'Give it Your Best:' Tab Williams' business insights spotlighted in a new book about successful North Carolina leaders

A. Tab Williams Jr. sometimes checks on the cleanliness of the restrooms at his gas stations and restaurants in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Virginia.

"Oh yeah, I still do that," said Williams, who founded the A.T. Williams Oil Co. 46 years ago. "If I'm in the area, that's a certainty."

Williams said that clean restrooms are amenities that attract and keep customers who stop at his gas stations. His willingness, even at 81, to check on restrooms is part of the leadership qualities that helped him expand a business that began in 1963 as six gas stations into one that has grown to 365 stations and 51 restaurants in seven states.

Last fall, Williams was selected for his leadership qualities to be among 33 people highlighted in the book, Secrets of Success: North Carolina Values-Based Leadership.

Retired Army Gen. H. Hugh Shelton, a native of Edgecombe County, led the effort to produce the coffee-table book, which was released May 26 by Ivy House Publishing Group of Raleigh.

The 84-page book provides first-person interviews and black-and-white photographs of people involved in government, business, the arts, religion and athletics who display leadership skills. Proceeds from the book's sales will go to the Shelton Leadership Center based at N.C. State University in Raleigh.

Williams started A.T. Williams Oil Co. by buying six stations from his father-in-law's company, Taylor Oil Co. He initially had three employees, including himself.

Williams said he never dreamed that his business, known today as WilcoHess LLC, would grow to what it is today. The company's offices are on University Parkway.

His office staff and family "were just overwhelmed that they were working for a company with that kind of background" after they read the book, Williams said.

In the book, Williams talks about growing up on his father's farm in Pitt County, his education at N.C. State, his business career, and his principles for success.

Williams was the oldest of four children. His father was a tenant farmer who grew tobacco and other crops, such as cabbage, potatoes, corn and tomatoes.

"We didn't have inside plumbing, and we had to furnish most of the food we ate," Williams said.

"But it was there on that farm that I learned to work and to enjoy the work."

He graduated from N.C. State in 1950 with a bachelor's degree in agronomy and settled in Winston-Salem as an assistant farm agent for Forsyth County.

After he serving for two years in the Army during the Korean War, he returned to North Carolina and eventually became the sales supervisor for the Winston-Salem Tobacco Board of Trade in January 1955.

Two years later, he joined Taylor Oil Co., which was owned by his father-in-law, Roby Taylor, and worked there for six years.

Williams said that he learned sound business practices while at Taylor Oil.

"In business, you give it your best and hope for the best," he said.

Williams finished the interview in the book, saying: "I guess if there's any secret to success, it's simply this: You have to like what you do, and if you do, there's no work to it."

Today, Williams is semi-retired, working about 30 hours a week at the business. His son, Steve Williams, is the president of WilcoHess, and runs the daily operations.

"If he needs some help or suggestions, I'm here to help him," Tab Williams said.

Williams' friends and colleagues said that his leadership abilities are exceptional.

John Brady, who has known Williams since 1953, said that his friend has accomplished every task that he has undertaken.

"If it is something that he believes in and committed to, he goes after it," Brady said.

The Rev. Cedric Rodney, who served five years on the board of trustees of Senior Services Inc. in Winston-Salem with Williams, said that Williams has outstanding leadership and "people" skills.

"He is kind to people, and he is very gracious," said Rodney, a religion professor at Winston-Salem State University.

The Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Care Center of Senior Services is named after Williams and his first wife, who died in December 1998.

John Medlin Jr., a friend and a trustee of Senior Services, said that Williams cares about the community.

"He gives of his time and his resources," said Medlin, the former chief executive officer and president of Wachovia Corp. "He's a very caring and dedicated citizen."

■ John Hinton can be reached at 727-7299 or at jhinton@wsjournal.com.

■ Secrets of Success: North Carolina Values-Based Leadership is available for $50 through bookstores and Amazon.com.