Posted on 12/31/2007 1:02:31 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
As chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission, Ric Williamson made major and often controversial decisions about the future of state roads.
He died Sunday of a heart attack, at age 55, in his hometown of Weatherford, leaving a legacy as the hard-charging official that steered Gov. Rick Perry's divisive vision of toll roads across Texas into state policy.
It was stressful work, and Mr. Williamson suffered two heart attacks while serving. He had known his health was fragile.
"I'm trying to avoid the third one, which the doctors tell me will be fatal," he told Texas Monthly in a June article.
Mr. Williamson spent 13 years in the Texas Legislature, much of it fighting for sensible state spending, colleagues say. But in recent years, he was known as the torchbearer for Mr. Perry's plans to solve the state's traffic and infrastructure woes, namely by privatizing key roads including State Highway 121 in Collin and Denton counties.
That policy, coupled with Mr. Williamson's take-no-prisoners style, sparked both praise and protest. Some called him a visionary, others an oligarch. Where some saw perseverance, others saw stubbornness.
But those who knew Mr. Williamson agree on at least one observation: He was smart and passionate.
"You could fight and you could argue and you could debate and you could complain, but at the end of the day, what I remember most about him was his passion," said state Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano. "On every issue I ever dealt with him, he did it 150 percent."
Mr. Perry called him a trusted adviser and close friend for more than 20 years. "Ric's passion to serve his beloved state of Texas was unmatched, and his determination to help our state meets its future challenges was unparalleled," Mr. Perry said.
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
Ric Williamson, the controversial commissioner of the Texas Transportation Commission, died Sunday at his home of a heart attack at age 55.
Born Richard F. Williamson, the state's chief transportation policymaker was beloved by some and hated by others for what all agreed was his aggressive style toward resolving transportation issues in Texas.
The five-person commission oversees statewide activities of the Texas Department of Transportation. Gov. Rick Perry has not named a replacement.
A proponent of toll roads and public-private partnerships to solve the state's critical highway funding crisis, Williamson became a lightning rod for critics of those strategies.
One Web site, titled www.firericwilliamson.com, devoted itself exclusively to promoting Williamson's ouster. Other sites criticized Williamson's massive proposed Trans Texas Corridor, a public-private partnership.
Williamson was appointed to the commission by his good friend Gov. Rick Perry in March 2001 and was named the group's chairman on Jan. 29, 2004. He served from 1985-1998 in the Texas Legislature.
Born in Abilene, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1974 and went on to build a natural-gas production company, according to his official biography.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, of the home in Weatherford, and three daughters, Melissa, Katherine and Sara, and two grandchildren.
A memorial service is set for 3 p.m. Thursday in Weatherford.
Memorial Service Scheduled For Late Transportation Commission Chairman
Trans-Texas Corridor PING!
I guess the pressure finally took its toll.................
“A memorial service is set for 3 p.m. Thursday in Weatherford.”
Praywers for the family. Needless to say, most of us would not be interested in attending.
BTTT
I wonder if the funeral procession will all go through a tollbooth set up in front of the cemetery gates in honor of him...
Ask not for whom the bells toll.........
Post of the day!
That'd be so appropriate.
I’m tellin ya’, I see a great job opening for Ron Paul.
Comment of the day. Funny:):)
Struck down by the wrath of God!
Don’t give Perry any idea’s............
Transportation Chairman Williamson dead at 55
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