Escambia County Honors Willie Carter, Jr. for Nearly 52 Years of Service to ECAT

Escambia County Area Transit is proud to recognize Bus Operator Willie Carter, Jr. on his retirement after nearly 52 years of service to ECAT and the citizens of Escambia County, driving over 3 million miles during his long and distinguished career.

District 3 Commissioner Lumon May presented a proclamation to Mr. Carter on Wednesday, April 15 honoring him for his many years of service, hard work, and dedication.

Click here to watch a video highlighting Mr. Carter's career with ECAT.

Mr. Carter was hired on October 12, 1974 as a Bus Operator with the original transit system in downtown Pensacola, serving under several transit management companies throughout his career. For a brief period in 1978, Mr. Carter assisted in the customer service department before determining that his true passion was operating a bus.

Mr. Carter consistently exceeded expectations, impressing his supervisors with his commitment, professionalism, and willingness to go above and beyond. He embraced challenging assignments as opportunities to enhance his skills and expand his operational knowledge, and his talent and dedication were formally recognized by the Board of County Commissioners in November 2024 in honor of his 50 years of service.

Through his dedication and strong work ethic, Mr. Carter became a trusted resource for his colleagues, who frequently sought his guidance in addressing complex assignments. He earned the title "The Living Legend" from passengers and employees, distinguishing himself as an exemplary bus operator during his long career.

Mr. Carter held a steadfast belief that public transportation plays a vital role in safely and efficiently connecting individuals to their destinations. He consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to hard work, taking great pride in his service and regarding the customers he served as an extension of his own family.

During hurricanes and severe storms that significantly impacted county operations, Mr. Carter demonstrated exceptional dedication, resuming service to support the community as soon as conditions improved and winds subsided to approximately 40 miles per hour. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Carter maintained an outstanding safety record, achieving 35 years of accident-free driving and accumulating more than 3 million miles in service.

Mr. Carter has received numerous accolades throughout his career from supervisors, peers, and county employees in recognition of his tireless work ethic, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to public service and the citizens of Escambia County. He has also been a longstanding member of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1395, serving as Sergeant-at-Arms for 30 years and maintaining 50 years of active membership.

"Mr. Carter has exemplified professionalism, excellence, and a commitment to safety throughout his long career with ECAT, and we are excited to recognize him for another milestone as he begins his well-earned retirement," Mass Transit Director Thaddeus Davenport said. "We cannot thank Mr. Carter enough for his dedication and many years of service to ECAT, our passengers, and the citizens of Escambia County. His legacy will continue to live on, and he will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives were touched by his smile and his service."