Priestley & Sons Heating Oil,LLC

The Priestley & Sons Heating Oil LLC of today represents the evolution of the Priestley Family businesses for moreFuel Oil Companies, Portland Oregon than 50 years. In 1955, two years after the birth of his first child, Chester “Chet the Jet” Priestley bought an old black tanker truck and began delivering heating oil to his friends and neighbors in his SE Portland neighborhood. Back in those days, most everyone had heating oil and Chet didn’t need to travel far to service his customers. Chet had formerly worked in his father’s moving business, Priestley & Sons Moving, throughout his school years at Franklin High School. His wife Darlene, who also attended Franklin HS, was his dispatcher and Office Mgr. Chet’s motto was “Fill ‘em and Bill ‘em, which caused some concern for Darlene, who was famous for her efforts to collect the money! Many a long-time customer will tell you about why they have been loyal to the Priestley are all these years. More than once, Chet was known to pull his pants over his pajamas to make a delivery to a customer who had run out late in the evening. Priestley’s practice of going the extra mile for their customers has earned them many loyal repeat customers over the years. In fact, much of their business today is still based on referrals.In the late 1980’s, Chet’s first son, Michael, joined him in the business. Chet Priestley Heating Oil operated in Southeast Portland, where he still lived, and Michael started AAA Heating Oil, servicing the rest of the Portland Metro Area, including the West side of town. The two operated their businesses out of their homes in Southeast and Lake Oswego, continuing to employ family members as dispatchers and office help. Over time, the old trucks had to make way for new ones and along with that, came a change of name to Priestley & Sons Heating Oil. By that time, Mike’s oldest son, Ben, had graduated from college and joined the business as a truck driver. With the business in capable hands, Chet was able to retire in 2001. He lives locally and enjoys seeing his sons and grandsons on a regular basis.