And all that experience recently paid off for part of the Pleasant Home family as Billy Douglas II and wife Billie were recently chosen as the “Great American Trucking Family” by Truckers News, a national news/lifestyle magazine for the over-the-road truck driver.

An did we mention, Billy’s dad is also named “Billy?”

“I know it’s confusing, but one thing is for sure, if someone said Billy Douglas, you know for a fact they were talking about someone who drives a truck,” Billy Douglas II said.

It’s a skill Douglas – who’s been driving an 18-wheeler since 1989 – said he learned from his father, Billy.

“Dad started in the 1960s,” he said. “Mom tells the story that she remembers that I was 6 weeks old when I had my first ride in a big rig,” he said. “It’s what I’ve always known, and what I’ll always do.”

“I’ve never thought of doing anything else,” he said.

“I grew up in a truck.”

It’s the same for his father, who is the owner of Three D Trucking; whose father, Alfred, was also a trucker.

It’s also that family experience that prompted Douglas’ wife Billie to submit the family for the magazine’s contest – 10 years ago.

“It’s so funny,” Douglas said. “Billie sent it in without telling me, and this is the 10-year anniversary of the magazine, so they went back through their records, saw we were still in business and chose us. It was amazing.”

Randy Grider, editor of Truckers News, said the publication, which has a circulation of 100,000 nationally, has given the award since 2002.

“The Douglases represent the heart and soul of the trucking industry – a great work ethic with an emphasis on safety and family values,” Grider said.

“They are a hard-working family with a great heritage and are great ambassadors for trucking.”

The Douglas family will receive their award at the Great American Trucking Show August trade show in Dallas.

“I can’t say how thankful I am to have the career that I have,” Douglas said.

“It’s just in our blood.”

Douglas and wife Billie have three children, Brayton, 11; Brenden, 8; and Briley, 4.

But no Billys, he said.

“It’s already confusing enough,” he said.