Sokil Transportation Group announces passing of Bill Sokil

CALGARY, Alta.–William “Bill” Sokil, a pioneer in the development of Alberta’s trucking industry, passed away on April 25, 2014, at the age of 83 years. Sokil was president and CEO of Edmonton-based Sokil Transportation Group, a business that grew into one of the province’s most influential fleets with operations across the country, said a company release.

Sokil’s  focus was not on the company alone, but on the trucking industry overall. He served two terms as president of the Alberta Motor Transport Association (1971-1972 and 1979-1980), which at the time was called Alberta Trucking Association. He also served as chairman of the industry’s national association, Canadian Trucking Alliance.

He was actively involved in legislative and regulatory affairs at the municipal, provincial, federal and international levels. He was regarded by many as a major force in the industry who led in a quiet way, someone who was ahead of his time and made things better for the entire industry, the release said.

“I always had the greatest respect for his dynamic approach and ability to move issues forward to solution,” said Richard Warnock, acting executive director, AMTA. “Our industry owes him a debt of gratitude for his leadership,” he added.

“Bill Sokil was one of the Alberta trucking pioneers and one of its great personalities. However, Bill’s contribution and influence extended well beyond Alberta,” said David Bradley, president and CEO, Canadian Trucking Alliance. “He was one of the smallest carriers to serve as chairman of the Canadian Trucking Association, the predecessor of the current CTA, and one of the architects of Canada’s current truck weights and dimensions standards. He will be missed. Our sympathies to Bill’s sons, Greg and Rob, and to the entire Sokil family.”

The son of Ukrainian immigrants, Bill went directly from high school to work with the two trucks owned by his family. That was the start of a trucking empire that grew into one of Western Canada’s most influential fleets. Today the company operates more than 877 pieces of equipment and has 270 employees.