On March 20, 2025, Bennett Clarke Whitlock Jr, former President of American Trucking

Associations (ATA), passed away at the age of 97. He was predeceased by his parents,

Bennett C. and Isabel Whitlock, and by a sister, Barbara Whitlock Price. He is survived

by his loving wife of 67 years Elizabeth (Betty) Marshall Whitlock, their two children and

their spouses, Elizabeth Rock (Mike) and Bennett C. Whitlock III (Gayle). He also

leaves behind five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by a

nephew Clark Price and a niece Anne Price Warhola.

Bennett was born in 1927 in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. He graduated from

Berkeley High School where his mother taught school. He received his BA from

Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, where he was President of the Student

Body, a member of the Blue Key Leadership Society, and the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

He earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina, in Columbia, South

Carolina, and his B.S.F.S from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

While studying at Georgetown, Bennett took a part time job at ATA to pay for school.

Little did he know it would be a lifelong career. Starting as a research assistant, he held

various positions at ATA until ultimately becoming the Executive Vice President and

Chief Operating Officer in 1975 and the President in 1976. He was the President of ATA

until he retired in 1985, concluding a 36-year career at the Association. During his

tenure as President, he led the trucking industry through the tumultuous period of

deregulation which began in the 1970s and continued into the 1980s. He was

recognized for his professionalism, knowledge, humor, and especially his candor (which

was legendary). For his accomplishments, he was named the Transportation Man of

the Year in 1982. In retirement, he and Betty split their time between Northern Virginia

and Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

Bennett was a member of many associations and organizations, including serving two

terms on the Board of Visitors of Mary Washington College where he served as Rector

of the Board for two years. In addition, he received the Gold Block P from Presbyterian

College, an award given to outstanding alumni, and he was made a member of The

Order of the Palmetto by the State of South Carolina, its highest civilian award.

Bennett was a loyal fan to anything sports related in Washington, D.C., especially the

football team. As a season ticket holder, he enjoyed his Sundays in the Fall and the

cold of Winter tailgating and going to the games at RFK Stadium. Of course, he was

also a fierce supporter of Presbyterian College and the University of South Carolina. He

always expressed great joy when South Carolina beat Clemson in – well - anything.

Bennett was also known for his prowess on the tennis court and at the Bridge table. He

continued his Bridge playing to the very end.

Throughout his life, what mattered most to him was his family and friends. His network

of friends was important to him, and they were nationwide. He was known for his

competitiveness in games, compassion in life, and his goodwill and humor. Still, he

liked nothing better than spending time with his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and

more recently, his great grandchildren. Whether it was a family reunion, grilling ribs or

steaks at the beach at Cove Point, playing games, helping solve a problem, teaching his

grandkids how to ride a bike on the beaches of Kiawah Island or going to their sporting

events, recitals and graduations, or watching his great grandkids create havoc around

him, he was always a larger than life presence in his family’s lives. He will be missed by

many.

A private memorial service will be held on April 6, 2025, at the Greenspring Senior

Living Center’s Chapel in Springfield, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, Bennett requested that

contributions be made in his memory to Presbyterian College’s President’s Scholarship

Fund. The web address is www.presby.edu – giving page and designate The

President’s Scholarship Fund. The address is 503 South Broad Street, Clinton, South

Carolina 29325. Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home is handling all other arrangments.