Patrick Murphy Williams, Jr. ’47 died October 10, 2013 of pancreatic cancer. Born in North Wilkesboro, N.C. on September 7, 1921, Pat completed his sophomore year at Wilkes Central High School before enrolling in McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN where he graduated in 1940.
That same year he entered Davidson College, and completed three years before joining the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged in 1946, having served as a 1st Lieutenant Platoon Leader in the 341st Infantry, 86th Blackhawk Division in the European and Pacific theaters of operation. Pat returned to Davidson and graduated in 1947.
While at Davidson, he was Vice President of the Student Body, President of the Senior Class, was a member of ODK, Kappa Sigma Fraternity and each year earned varsity letters in football, basketball and track. In football, Pat played the end position on offense and defense, and in 1942, was Honorable mention on the A.P. All-American Football Team.
In 1947, Pat moved to Jacksonville, FL and was employed by Moore Dry Kiln Co. with manufacturing plants in Memphis, TN and Jacksonville, where he worked for over 25 years. He was President (1965-1970) when Moore Dry Kiln Company merged with U.S. Natural Resources of Menlo Park, CA.
In 1973, Pat purchased Stanley Fans, a local manufacturer of commercial and industrial ventilating equipment. In 1992, Stanley purchased Breidert Air Products from Walton Enterprises in Bentonville, Arkansas, with the surviving company becoming Breidert Air Products with it’s manufacturing plant still located in Jacksonville. In 2004, Breidert was purchased by Soler & Palau.
Pat served on the boards of many business, charitable, educational and religious organizations: First Federal Savings & Loan Assoc., Local Initiative Support Corp (LISC), YMCA, Young Life, United Way, United States Industrial Council, the United States Woodworking Machinery Assoc. and the International Air Moving & Control Association.
He was a member of Meninak, Timuquana and Deerwood Clubs and Sons of American Revolution. He was a trustee of Bartram School, Jacksonville University, Davidson College and the Edna Sproull Williams Foundation. Pat was an Elder and Trustee at First Presbyterian Church.
Pat was an active hunter, fisherman and golfer and starting at age 73, shot his age in golf several hundred times.
Pat’s wife, Dorothy Skinner Williams, predeceased him in 2010 after 60 years of marriage. He is survived by his four children: Rev. Ann W. Brinson (Bob) of High Point, N.C., Molly Williams, of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Pat Williams III (Liz) of Orange Park, FL and Susan W. Brodeur (Rick) of Jacksonville, FL. He has seven grandchildren: Buck (fiance Susannah Baker) and Ellie Williams, Will (AK) and Charlie Brinson, and Ford, Patrick and Bryant Brodeur. He is survived by his two brothers in law Dick Skinner and Bryant Skinner.
A memorial service was held at First Presbyterian Church, 118 E. Monroe Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 on Thursday, October 17 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Pat’s memory to First Presbyterian Church’s Pastor’s Discretionary Fund. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at patarewski@gmail.com.