Wilfred A. Clearwater

Buster first became involved in the Towing Industry in early 1939 when he answered an ad in a Vancouver newspaper to become a tow truck driver for Vancouver Auto Towing. Six years later he joined with a local salvage firm to install a Manley hand crank unit on a surplus military chassis as a means of dealing with the many vehicles that had fallen into disrepair during the war. In 1947, he purchased his first modern wrecker, a Holmes Model 490 and installed it on a 1947 short wheelbase, 60″ CA Cabover Ford chassis in order to navigate the many narrow street and bridges in downtown Vancouver. And Buster went on to build what was to be the largest privately owned fleet of Holmes towing equipment in the world. In 1975 the fleet numbered in excess of fifty modern towing and recovery vehicles of varying sizes and capabilities.

But Buster Clearwater is much more to the Industry than just a major operator. He was, and is a major influence. Through his acceptance and use of modern, manufactured equipment, he established standards for towers that are still followed today in Western Canada. Further, he provided a training ground for the towing industry as at least ten of the present day major operators were once employed by Buster, thus learning their professional skills directly from the industry leader. Indeed, through his position of leadership, Buster has guided the evolution of our industry in Canada to the position of excellence it commands today.

Buster retired in 1975, but soon assisted his son Dale in establishing a towing company that has gone on to become one of the dominant firms in Vancouver. Through his active participation in civic and towing groups, Buster continues to provide leadership for his industry and community. Indeed, throughout his life and career, Wilfred Arthur Clearwater has always been a Friend of Towing.