Walt’s Wrecker Service is privileged to have a rich history. Son of poor South Carolina sharecroppers, Walter H. Bryan, Sr. (known as “Mr. Walt” or “Walt, Sr.”) moved to Jacksonville, Florida on the day after Christmas in the late 1930s. He got a job selling life insurance, but that field of work wasn’t for Mr. Walt. He then went to work at a gas station on Myrtle Avenue, fueling and servicing automobiles.
Walt’s garage at the corner of Edgewood Ave. and Beaver St.
Mr. Walt opened his own gas station, service center, and body shop at the corner of Edgewood Avenue and Beaver Street (US-90) in the early to mid-1940s. Seeing the need to tow customers to his shop for service, Mr. Walt started Walt’s Wrecker Service in 1945. The towing part of his business grew and he eventually got out of selling gas and servicing automobiles. In the early 1960s, road construction forced Walt’s Wrecker Service to move twice, eventually settling at our current location: the corner of Broadway Avenue and Ellis Road North. Mr. Walt passed away in February 2006, leaving his legacy and well-known company will live on through us.
His son, Walt Bryan, Jr., assumed full responsibility of the company after Mr. Walt’s passing. Walt Jr. had been the acting owner, but this sad event solidified his position. With experience in the aftermarket automotive retail parts business (Walt’s Auto Parts) and being a businessman his whole life, Walt Jr. nurtured and grew the company far beyond what his father had ever dreamed it would become. Under Walt Jr.’s direction, the company weathered the worst recession since the Great Depression.
Diagnosed with cancer in January of 2019, Walt Jr. fought a tough fight, but finally succumbed to the disease on April 7, 2019. Like his father, the turnout of wreckers at Walt Jr.’s funeral was quite a sight to see. The company, which continues to be family-owned and operated, now rests on the shoulders of his wife and children and will be run with one direction in mind: up.
Walt’s Wrecker Service has experienced much change and weathered many storms in its 75-year history. God has truly blessed our family and business, and it is our responsibility to continue running it in a fair and honest way, just like Mr. Walt and Walt Jr. would have wanted.
Why Choose Us?
Though many things have changed in Jacksonville and the towing industry since 1945, one thing hasn’t: Walt’s Wrecker Service. We have been towing and hauling for customers for over 70 years. From towing and hauling cars on our flatbed rollback trucks, to work with our 50-ton rotator and 50-ton wrecker, to transporting large generators and other equipment pieces, Walt’s Wrecker Service is the obvious choice.
We will treat you with respect and dignity as we handle your property. Our rich, 70+ year history shows that. We’re ready to handle all of your towing, recovery and vehicle transporting needs. We pride ourselves on our very fast response time and are available 24/7, 365 days a year. Contact us today at (904) 389-6644 for more information or to request a tow truck or other towing services. We look forward to serving you!