WALTON “BUD” Duckworth and Jesse Leon Williams were riding down the road, going raccoon hunting, a pastime they enjoyed together regularly. But this particular hunting expedition in 1967 would change both of their lives in a big way — the night Bud asked Leon to go into the termite business with him, a venture that would connect them and their families for decades to come. It started with two men taking out a $1,500 loan, and turned into a 58-year business partnership between great friends.
Dwight Duckworth, Bud’s son, grew up watching his dad and Leon as they built their business, Cumberland Termite Company, from the ground up, gaining business through word of mouth and their reputation for honored promises and quality work. Even at 9 years old, Dwight would go with his dad to job sites and help. He learned the trade and the integrity, work ethic, and perseverance required to run a business. Leon’s son, Chad, along with other family members, also grew up working in the business over the years.
In the early days, the pair was not making enough to cover both families’ expenses, so Leon worked at a local grocery store at night and worked with Bud during the day. While Bud had worked for termite companies before, Leon hadn’t, so he took online classes at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to be eligible to apply for a termite and pest control license.
Eventually, they proved themselves to the community, who saw time and again that their word was binding, and the two started seeing success as those client relationships were built, nurtured, and carried for years.
“We’ve actually got contracts that go back to 1967,” Leon said.
Dwight grew up learning valuable lessons from his father, Bud. When Bud passed away in 2005, Dwight took on his family’s portion of the company. He knew he wanted to honor his dad by continuing to serve Franklin County with the values he was instilled with.
“God was always first in our home. He taught me about honesty and that you’re only as good as your word,” Dwight said. “You know, when you shake hands with somebody about something, that’s the way it is.”
At that same time, Dwight and Leon partnered with Leon’s son, Chad, who also became a full partner in the business. Chad worked alongside his father, who, even after retiring, has continued to pass down his wisdom.
“I’ve just described it as a life of service,” Chad said. “I mean, that’s how he taught me to lead. You serve one another. That’s what our business is — a service-oriented business.”
After all these years, the families are so intertwined that it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.
“We’ve always done everything together, whether it was work, play, church… everything. We don’t know life without each other,” Leon said.
The physical foundation of Cumberland Termite Company tells its own story of continuity. The business has always operated from the same location — Bud’s home in Franklin County. Bud and Leon built an office and garage behind the house years ago. Bud’s wife, who also served as a city judge in Estill Springs, managed the books from her kitchen table, cooking lunch for the partners. After they both passed away, the house became the permanent office for the business.
From the beginning, Bud and Leon made intentional choices about business operations: staying small to maintain quality control, building personal relationships with customers, and remaining rooted in their community. The company currently serves Franklin County and several surrounding counties, but there was a time when Bud and Leon had to drive as far as necessary just to make a dollar. With a solid customer base built over decades, they’ve chosen sustainability over expansion.
“Every one of us is on the same page — not just workwise, but churchwise, and lifewise. In every aspect of our life, we’re all on the same page,” Dwight said.
Leon and Dwight pastor churches in addition to running their business. Leon pastors Estill Springs Baptist Church, while Dwight pastors Riley Creek Baptist Church.
Family members from both sides are invested in their churches, communities, and the family business. Chad’s wife, Jeanine, worked as a secretary in the office. Bud’s wife, Willie, and Leon’s wife, Helen, worked as bookkeepers for the company until Willie passed away and Helen retired. At that point, Dwight’s wife, Stacey, took over bookkeeping, and the Williams and Duckworth men confirmed that she is the one who is really in charge around there, as the women were before her.
Now, a third generation has joined the family business: Dwight’s son, Walton (named for his grandfather), works at Cumberland Termite Company. Dwight said there is something special about receiving this legacy from his father and then being able to pass it on to his son. Leon said he is also grateful for that opportunity with his own son, Chad. Dwight, Chad, and Walton continue to bring excellence to the company that their fathers (and Walton’s grandfather) initially created.
A half-century-long family friendship, a service-focused business, and a heritage of faith, integrity, and quality service are the cornerstones of Cumberland Termite Company, and the characteristics that will keep them in business for generations. GN
