SERVING SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS FOR 115+ YEARS!

The Wilsons have owned and operated our bottling company for 5 generations. The bottling plant has been an integral part of family life throughout the generations with the entire extended family being involved in some capacity.
Our story began long before the Nashville Coca-Cola Bottling Company was established. In 1896, Nashville's third-oldest industry was founded with the creation of the Nashville Bottling Company by J.H. Moore. Ownership later passed to Hill Brothers Wholesale Grocery, where employee Hence Wilder began bottling carbonated soft drinks—known at the time as "soda pop"—using the distinctive spring-stopper bottle.
In 1911, W.W. Wilson and his son, Forrest Wilson, purchased the grocery store and bottling works on Main Street from Hill Brothers. Hence Wilder remained with the business, continuing to bottle beverages under the Wilson family's ownership. On January 1, 1911, W.W. and Forrest Wilson secured the franchise to bottle Coca-Cola, the beverage created in Atlanta in 1886. That milestone marked the beginning of what would become more than a century of family ownership and service.
That same year, Coca-Cola received its registered trademark. Bottling operations were entirely hand-operated, and Joe Wilson, son of W.W. Wilson, alongside Hence Wilder, produced the first bottle of Coca-Cola in Nashville. The earliest sales records show that 315 cases were sold during the peak month of August 1914. While the first bottles were brown, Coca-Cola's iconic green contour bottle was patented in 1915, becoming one of the world's most recognizable package designs.
Despite the challenges of World War I and the early years of the Great Depression, the company continued to grow. By 1938, Nashville Coca-Cola Bottling Company was producing Coca-Cola alongside Nu-Grape, Orange Crush, Lemon Crush, and Hence Wilder's own secret formula, "Hot-Shot." During this era, Coca-Cola also secured an important legal victory when courts ruled in 1920 that the name "Coke" referred exclusively to Coca-Cola.
Growth continued throughout the 1920s. In 1921, the company relocated to its second facility on Sypert Street. The following year, Fred Murphy joined the company and became foreman in 1924, helping oversee an expansion into DeQueen, Arkansas. By 1926, Nashville Coca-Cola Bottling Company had earned recognition as the highest-rated bottling plant in Arkansas, receiving top marks for product quality, delivery equipment, and customer service.
Following the passing of founder W.W. Wilson in 1932, ownership transitioned to Forrest Wilson, Mrs. W.W. Wilson, Walker Wilson, and Joe Wilson through the Wilson Corporation. Under Forrest's leadership, the company continued its steady expansion throughout the 1930s.
A new generation joined the business in 1943 when Ramon Wilson, Forrest Wilson's youngest son and grandson of W.W. Wilson, became a shareholder and full-time employee. In 1944, Ramon answered the nation's call to serve, joining the United States Marine Corps and participating in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. That same year, Roger Amonette joined the company to manage the Wilson Farm while assisting with plant operations. In 1946, Alger Harrison joined the team and dedicated more than 50 years to the company, serving first as lead salesman and later as production manager. By 1948, a new bottling line capable of producing 63 bottles per minute significantly increased production capacity.
The 1950s marked another period of expansion. In 1953, Coca-Cola experienced its first-ever price increase, rising from five cents to six cents per bottle. That same year, Nashville Coca-Cola Bottling Company acquired the Mena Coca-Cola Bottling Company, expanding its exclusive franchise territory to include Polk, Scott, and Montgomery Counties in addition to Sevier, Hempstead, Pike, Howard, and Little River Counties.
Ramon Wilson became Sales Manager in 1955, and Herschell Vaughan joined the company in 1957, later serving as Sales Manager for 25 years. In 1958, Coca-Cola introduced the 10-ounce contour bottle with its applied white label, marking the first package larger than the traditional six-ounce bottle.
The company continued to strengthen its leadership in the decades that followed. Tom Sanford joined the organization in 1965 and served as Sales Manager until his passing in 1996. Ronnie C. Howard joined in 1967 and dedicated 34 years as Office Manager before retiring in 2001. Jacky Robinson joined the company in 1976 and later succeeded Tom Sanford as Sales Manager. James Jamison became Quality Control Manager in 1980, was promoted to Production Manager in 1984, and continues to serve as Plant Manager today.
By 1980, the Nashville Coca-Cola Bottling Company's market had reached an impressive per capita consumption of 300 bottles annually across its eight-county territory. In February 1981, with the assistance of Arkansas Act 9 municipal bonds, the company moved into its modern $2 million production facility at 1301 South Fourth Street, where it remains today. By 1985, annual sales had reached a record 650,000 cases.
On January 1, 1988, Kenneth R. Wilson, great-grandson of W.W. Wilson, was elected President, becoming the fourth generation of the Wilson family to lead the company. Later that year, Kenneth Wilson and negotiator Marion Glover secured the Dr Pepper franchise rights for most of the company's Coca-Cola territory. The acquisition proved transformative. By 1999, Nashville Coca-Cola Bottling Company ranked as the highest per-capita bottler in the Dr Pepper system after increasing Dr Pepper sales by 400 percent in just nine years. The company maintained that distinction through 2005 and continues to be recognized as one of the nation's premier Dr Pepper bottlers.
In 2003, production at the Nashville facility concluded, with manufacturing transitioning to trusted production partners while the company continued its focus on distribution and customer service.
In 2011, Nashville Coca-Cola Bottling Company proudly celebrated 100 years of bottling and distributing Coca-Cola. The following year, Chairman Ramon F. Wilson passed away after more than 69 years of dedicated service to the company. Kenneth R. Wilson succeeded his father as Chairman, continuing the family's legacy of leadership.
Recent years have brought another generation of transition. Jacky Robinson retired in 2022 after more than 46 years of service. Walt Overton, who joined the company in 2008, succeeded Jacky as Sales Manager before retiring in 2026. On June 1, 2026, longtime Sales Executive Tony Goodson became Sales Manager. Cindy Riggs retired in January 2026 after years of dedicated service as Office Manager. Zack Winton succeeded Cindy as Office Manager in early 2026. Bill Moorer, who joined the company in 2022, continues to serve as Chief Financial Officer.
Today, Nashville Coca-Cola Bottling Company remains proudly family-owned and operated. In 2017, Joseph Wilson, the youngest son of Kenneth R. Wilson, joined the company, becoming the fifth generation of the Wilson family to carry forward the business.
More than a century after bottling its first Coca-Cola, the company continues to build upon its legacy of family ownership, exceptional service, and commitment to the communities it serves. We are proud of our history and look forward to serving future generations with the same values that have guided us since 1911.
In 1911 on South Main St was the company's first location called the Wilson & Galloway Grocery Store.

William Walker Wilson was born in Talladega, Alabama Feb. 14th, 1859. He was a son of Abel Fletcher (Abe) Wilson and Mary Phillips, natives of Jasper County, Georgia and Alabama respectively. They migrated overland on Nov. 2, 1871, by oxen-drawn wagon train from Talladega, AL., arriving at Rock Creek in Pike County, Arkansas on December 15th, 1871.
W.W. Wilson received a good English education, having attended the Academy at Murfreesboro and the Arkansas Industrial University at Fayetteville, AR (University of Arkansas). He was deputy sheriff of Pike County for five years. Afterwards, he was engaged in teaching. W.W. Wilson later moved from Pike County to Clark County were he dealt with real estate and taught school. Around 1900 he moved to Nashville, AR. He was very instrumental in paving the road from Nashville to Murfreesboro. W.W. Wilson was also interested in railroads coming through Nashville and worked hard on these projects.
W.W. Wilson and Laura Fletcher Biggs were married December 16th, 1885. They had three children; Joseph Biggs Wilson, Forrest William Wilson, and James Walker Wilson.
W.W. was engaged in the mercantile business in Nashville under the name of Wilson and Galloway at the time he was granted a contract to bottle Coca-Cola in 1911.
W.W. Wilson passed on September 7, 1932.

If one had been asked to name a few of the leaders in the business and civic life of Nashville, Forrest Wilson would have been very near the top of the list. He was a man whose real interest in his community and in the people who made it up, made him one of the most popular and respected men in a town of leaders. For nearly 68 years this descendant of prominent Pike County families made Nashville his home where he owned and managed the Coca-Cola Bottling Company.
Forrest Wilson was born in Pike County on 7-16-1889, one of three sons of W.W. and Laura (Biggs) Wilson. He attended Nashville High School. Later attended Draughon's Business College in Little Rock, AR. When he graduated from college he joined his father in management of the Coca-Cola Plant in Nashville, AR.
He was a charter member and director in the Federal Savings & Loan Association, and was Secretary of the Howard County Livestock Sales and Fair Association. He had farm lands in Howard and Miller county and orchards in Howard County. For 14 years he was president of the First National Bank in Nashville. He served in World War I as Quartermaster Sergeant, and at the time the war ended, he was in the Officers Training Corps. He was a commander of the American Legion. At the time of his death, he was the only continuous service charter member of the Nashville Rotary Club, for which he served two terms as president.
He was interested in every phase of community life, and no one was a more active and generous contributor to its growth. He was a member of the Nashville Industrial Committee and worked toward bring industry to Nashville. He gave the land for the Wilson Baseball Park, which is named after him, and helped build the stands. He served two terms as president of the Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Board of Stewards of the First United Methodist Church, of which he and his wife were active members. He was instrumental in originating the Howard County Peach Festival, an annual celebration held in Nashville. He was the first General Chairman. He was a member of the American Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages, and of the Arkansas Bottlers Association, the latter of which he was a past president.
Mr. Wilson like to fish and hunt, and his particular hobbies were deep sea fishing and traveling.
In 1920 Forrest Wilson married Irene Ammonette. The Wilson's had two sons; both of whom served overseas in World War II. The elder son, Dr. Ralph C. Wilson was a radiologist in Oklahoma City. The younger son, Ramon F. Wilson succeeded his father as Chairman of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Nashville.

Ramon Forrest Wilson was born July 5th, 1923, in Nashville, to Forrest Wilson and Irene Amonette Wilson. He received his education attending Nashville High School and Henderson State Teachers College.
Entering in the Marine Corps in March 1944, he received boot training at San Diego, CA. and advanced training at Oceanside. He was trained in infantry and was transferred to artillery where he qualified as a rifleman. After one year's service in the United States, he was attached to the Fifth Marine Division on Nov. 19, 1944. On Dec. 25, 1944, the Fifth Marine Division boarded a ship for the Pacific theater, and after 45 days at sea, with a brief stop in Hawaii, his company landed on Iwo Jima, around 3:30 P.M. on D-Day. For action at Iwo Jima and for meritorious service he was awarded the American Defense and Asiatic Pacific Ribbons, and the Presidential Unit Citation. After serving six months overseas, he was honorably discharged at Mare Island Navy Yard in California on August 30th, 1945.
After he was discharged, he returned to Nashville where he joined his father in the bottling industry, and soon began to buy stock in the family industry. In 1962 as plant manager, he helped steer the company through a major building program.
At the death of his father, Forrest Wilson, in 1967, he and his family acquired the remaining stock in the Nashville Coca-Cola Bottling Company. In 1981 he helped steer the company through another major building program.
Mr. Wilson was the president of the Wilson Corporation doing business as the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Nashville. He was a member of the Coca-Cola Bottlers Association, Arkansas Coca-Cola Bottlers Council, Arkansas Soft Drink Bottlers Association and National Soft Drink Association.
Mr. Wilson was a member and Paul Harris Fellow of the Nashville Rotary Club for over 67 years. He was also a member of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, life member of the Howard County Heritage Club, and a member of the West Sunset Church of Christ where is served as a deacon for over 56 years.
On June 29, 1950 Ramon Wilson married Nelda Lorene Smith. Ramon and Nelda had three children, Kenneth Ramon, David Walker and Elizabeth Suzanne Wilson.
Mrs. Wilson passed away on October 16th, 2009 and Mr. Wilson later passed on August 12th, 2012. Both very strong leaders in our community. They both were honored post humorously by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce in 2013 for the Lifetime Achievement Award for their service to their community.

, Kenneth Wilson, son of Ramon Wilson and Nelda Smith Wilson, was born on December 19th, 1953, in Nashville, Arkansas. Kenneth attended public schools in Nashville and graduated with honors in 1972. He was an outstanding athlete and earned a total of 14 letters in football, basketball, track and baseball while in high school. His discus throw of 163 feet and 10 3/4 inches remained a Nashville Scrapper record for 29 years. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1977 with a business degree. While attending the university, he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
In the summer of 1966 at the age of 12, young Kenneth began his career in the Nashville Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and in 1977 his full tenure began with the company. He presently is the Chairman and President of the Nashville Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company, following in the footsteps of his father, Ramon Wilson. In 1987, the company purchase the Dr Pepper franchise for most of it's Coca-Cola franchise area. In 2009, Nashville Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company became the #1 per capita Dr Pepper Bottler in the world.
Kenneth currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Beverage Association having served as its chairman between 2005 and 2018. He is a current board member of Gulf States Canners Inc. In 1972, Kenneth was elected to the Howard County Quorum Court where he served as a JP for 10 years. He also served for 7 years on the Texarkana Airport Authority and served as it's chairman between 2007-2008.
He also served on the St. James Day School Board of Trustees from 2004-2007. He served on the Caddo Area Boy Scout Council Board from 2003-2008 and served as it's foundation chair in Howard County. Kenneth has been a member of the Nashville Rotary Club since 1977 having served as its president between 1990-1991 and a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. He also is a dual member of the Reno, NV Rotary Club. Kenneth served as president of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce in 1980.
Kenneth assumed the role of Chairman in 2012 with the passing of his father, Ramon. His youngest son, Joseph Wilson, joined the company in 2017 and was promoted to Vice President in 2021. He became the 5th generation Wilson to be involved in operations of the business.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.