W.F (Billy) Arnold joined the family business in 1906 at the age of 15, marking the beginning of what would become a remarkable lifetime of service to Arnold's. As the second son of founder J.G Arnold, Billy quickly proved himself an invaluable addition to the growing enterprise.
From his early days, Billy showed dedication to mastering every aspect of the business. He took responsibility for processing orders from stores in surrounding towns including Holbrook, Lockhart, and Henty, with some of his initialled postcard orders surviving as historical treasures of this era.
At age 21, Billy was made a partner in the family business and entrusted with managing the crucial transshipping operations. This role became particularly vital during the early 1900s when Arnold's helped navigate the complexities of customs duties at the border and the challenges presented by different railway gauges between states.
Billy's business acumen was evident in his embrace of new technologies. He was among the first to recognise the importance of staying informed about market conditions, purchasing a radio specifically to receive early morning market reports from as far away as Burnie, Tasmania, for potato prices.
Working alongside his brother J.E Arnold and cousin Harry, W.F helped guide the business through some of its most significant periods of growth and change. Following their father J.G's retirement in 1924, Billy continued to build upon the strong foundation that had been established.
W.F Arnold passed away in 1984 at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy that included his only son Paul, who would go on to lead Arnold's through further innovation and growth. His long life had spanned nearly the entire history of Arnold's to that point, from the early days of horse-drawn deliveries to the modern operation in Wodonga.
Paul Arnold & His Father Billy, Second And Third Generation Leaders Of Arnold's Family Business (Early 1980s)
Young W.F (Billy) Arnold (Unkown)
