About us

Born in 1922 in Knoxville, TN, Bill W. Tarver Sr., affectionately known as “Rabbit,” came from a poor background. Raised during the Great Depression, he was an exceptional athlete at Young High School but chose not to attend college. Bill entered the beer industry after high school, inspired by his father, who worked for Smokey Mountain Beverage shortly after Prohibition.

In the 1940s, the beer distribution industry shifted towards specializing in beer instead of combining with grocery services. This change paved the way for Bill’s career growth at Tipton Distributing, where he worked alongside Gloria Houser, Tip Tipton’s executive assistant, and later his future wife.

Bill Sr. and Gloria met while working at Tipton Distributing and married in 1960. Soon after, they relocated to Cleveland, TN, to start their own beer distribution business. In 1962, they founded Tarver Distributing, the official Anheuser-Busch distributor for the region. This marked the beginning of a family legacy.

Tarver Distributing began in Cleveland’s 5 Points district and moved to larger facilities over the years to accommodate growth. Bill and Gloria’s frugality and hard work paid off as the business expanded, and their children—Ross, Bill Jr., and Bob—began contributing to the family operation.

Ross and Bill Jr. grew up working summers and holidays in the warehouse, learning the business from the ground up. By their teens, they were driving trucks on beer routes, gaining firsthand experience in the field. This hands-on approach to learning is a hallmark of the Tarver family legacy, passed down to their own children.

In 1982, Bill Sr. was diagnosed with cancer, leading Ross and Bill Jr. to take on more responsibilities. Gloria, one of the few women in the country to serve as an approved Anheuser-Busch equity manager, played a critical role in maintaining the business. The family’s collective effort kept the company thriving through tough times.

Ross and Bill Jr. took over leadership roles as President and Vice President of the company, continuing their father’s legacy. Their sons, Bill III, Rossman Jr., and Will, now follow in their footsteps, working in the family business as the next generation of Tarvers to uphold the company’s values.

Today, Tarver Distributing operates from Charleston, TN, on land purchased in a deal involving both cash and a Jeepster truck. The company remains a key player in the beer distribution industry, with a legacy rooted in family, hard work, and community values.

The Tarver family’s approach to business has always been about teamwork, dedication, and humility. From humble beginnings to the successful business they run today, the Tarvers embody the spirit of hard work, with each generation contributing to the company’s ongoing success.