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The Sutton family has been building fences for more than 70 years. Dale Sutton said his grandfather, Vivon, started building fences for L and N Railroad.

"He built fences down the sides of the track," said Dale. "When the state outlawed free-range cattle, he started fencing for the public."

Dale said that’s when the family business began. "Some of us have been doing it ever since," he said.

Dale spent his summers and weekends working with Vivon.

"I would spend the night with him so we could work together," Dale recalled. "He wasn’t just my grandfather, he was my best friend."

Dale and Vivon partnered in the business and did the work full-time until Vivon’s

Coy Sutton recalls fence building with father, Vivon, pictured above left.

death in the 1990s. Dale now works at a "regular job" on third shift and fences during the day. He is helped by his son, Derek, 27.

He hopes to return to fencing full time soon. "I’m looking forward to working with my son Derek and my four grandsons to carry on the family tradition," says Dale.

Others in the Sutton family have also taken to fence building. Dale’s uncle, Coy, also learned the trade.

Two of Coy’s sons, Greg and Steve, have recently begun to fence full time and have formed their own company, Sutton Fence. The brothers, who live just outside of Moulton, left their jobs to pursue careers in the trade they learned from their grandfather, Vivon.

Greg’s children, Bethany, 16, and Ryan, 12, have recently joined the Sutton team of fence builders, making this a fourth-generation endeavor.

Start Young

"I started working with my grandfather when I was about 10 years old," said Steve. "All of my summers were filled with fencing."

Greg noted that when they were not fencing they were usually hauling hay for their grandfather. "He was a worker," Greg noted.

The brothers recalled when Vivon was run over by a tractor when he was in his sixties.

"We were told he would never walk again," said Steve. "I remember him using a walker to get around. The next I remember is we were out building fences again."

Full-Time Fencing

In May 2005, Greg left Steelcase after 17 years to begin fencing full time. In March 2006, Steve left a corporate position with Wolverine to return to the trade. Both are satisfied with their decisions to carry on the family tradition.

Greg jokingly recalled that he was a little hesitant when Steve wanted to work with him. He wasn’t sure Steve would be up to par.

"I’m particular about the way I do my fencing," said Greg. "I wanted to make sure Steve was willing to do it the right way."

The partnership has worked well for the brothers, who are known for carrying on their grandfather’s tradition of quality fencing.

"The best advertising we have is word-of-mouth," said Greg. "People see work we have done and ask who did it."

Steve noted that some people stop by when they are at a job site building or repairing a fence and ask the brothers to do work for them.

Types of Fencing

The job of fence building has gone the way of many professions these days. The brothers have diversified their trade to keep up with the times.

In addition to all types of farm fencing, which is the root of their business, the Suttons also handle vinyl, wood and chain link fencing. They even build decks.

The brothers said they have recently begun to handle an ornamental aluminum fencing that is powder coated.

"It looks just like the old-fashioned wrought iron fencing," said Greg. "But it’s aluminum—it will last forever."

One thing the brothers learned from their grandfather was to use good quality materials. Greg said they depend on the Lawrence County Exchange in Moulton for much of their quality fencing supplies.

Ryan, Greg and Steve talk about the quality fencing supplies available from the Lawrence County Exchange in Moulton.

"We occasionally trade at other Co-op stores if we are in the area and need supplies," said Greg. "We’ve even located a couple of stores we didn’t know existed—like the one at Elgin."

"We like the Bekaert fencing," said Steve. "Bar none, it is the best out there."

The brothers believe their commitment to quality work and using quality supplies has led to their success in the business.

Coy recalled that Vivon instilled in them the desire to build a good fence. "He always said that if you build a good one to start with, they’ll want you to come back," said Coy.

Greg agreed and said that much of their work is for people that they have worked for in the past. "They like what we did and call us back," he said.

Dale said he has had people ask him if he can build a fence like his grandfather. "When I tell them I can, I get the job," said Dale.

Many Improvements, But Hard Work Remains

The Suttons noted how much technology has advanced since they first began building fences.

Greg said they use a driver attached to a loader tractor to help nowadays.

Coy agreed that things have come a long way. "We didn’t know what a digger was when we were growing up," he recalled.

Dale said their grandfather probably owned the first digger in north Alabama, noting that he still has the digger.

"He tried one out back in the 50s," said Dale. "And he refused to take it back." Dale said that when Vivon contacted the salesman that let him try out the digger, he simply asked the salesman what he wanted for it.

The Suttons attribute their grandfather’s success to his love for his work. They recalled that he enjoyed building fences and took pride in constructing a quality fence.

The younger Suttons are trying to live by the same rule. "It’s a good life," said Dale.

To learn more about the Suttons and their fence building work you can call (256) 905-6477.

Susie Sims is a freelance writer from Haleyville.