A Life Remembered: The Legacy of Gerald Williams

Tuesday, May 25, 2010, we lost a Florida icon, an accomplished attorney, a caring mentor, a role model and friend. Gerald A. Williams, Chief Counsel to The School District of Palm Beach County, was 59 years old.

Mr. Williams served honorably as Chief Counsel since November 2005. Before that, he handled a range of District issues as Chief Negotiator and Chief Officer of Administration. In 2009, Florida Trend magazine honored Mr. Williams by selecting him for its Legal Elite.

He served his community in many ways, including as general counsel for the Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association, as treasurer and executive board member for the Urban League of Palm Beach County, and as co-founder and president of the Suncoast Chamber of Commerce in West Palm Beach.

Born Oct. 9, 1950 in Pensacola, Mr. Williams was among the first African-American graduates of the University of Florida College of Law in 1975. He then helped grow Haygood & Williams into the largest African-American law firm in the state. In 1997, he left private practice to serve as Chief Labor Counsel, and Chief Officer of Labor and Legislative Relations for Dade County.

We all greatly miss him. We are fortunate to live our lives with the comforting memories of his deeply caring spirit, his humorous insights, and his instantly identifiable laugh.

He had many admirable qualities as Legal Department leader. Perhaps chief among them, he treated each member with deep respect. He actively sought out and valued each person’s thoughts and contributions.

Asked about the meaning of success, Ralph Waldo Emerson observed that it meant:

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.”

Under Mr. Emerson’s definition, and any other, the life of Gerald A. Williams was a marvelous success.

Preserving Mr. Williams’ Legacy of Educating Youth

During his life, Gerald cherished his commitment to educating youth. You can help his cause by contributing to the Gerald A. Williams, Esq. Memorial Scholarship. The Scholarship will provide ongoing support and assistance to deserving African-American law students throughout the State of Florida.

Please make your donations to the Gerald A. Williams, Esq. Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Monica Williams or Erica Williams, P.O. Box 18342 West Palm Beach, Florida 33416.