Transportation chairman remembered as loyal, courageous

01/04/2008

Associated Press

Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson was eulogized Thursday as a loyal and courageous public servant who focused on the issues he thought important to the future.

"Because he was my friend, he believed in me," Gov. Rick Perry said. "He stood by me in every fight. We'll miss him greatly."

Several hundred people attended a memorial service for Williamson in the Weatherford High School auditorium. He died Sunday of a heart attack at the age of 55.

Speakers shared stories about Williamson's life, recalling late night lectures, a fondness for flip charts and absorption of details, The Dallas Morning News reported in its online edition.

Amadeo Saenz, executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation, said no one could take Williamson's place. He said that Williamson's time as chairman coincided with a period of great change and controversy for the agency.

"With a roll of mints and a love of good discussion, he produced some of the longest meetings of the Texas Transportation Commission on record," Saenz said. "What seemed like an endurance race to many people was a genuine effort to produce discussion and attention for the issues that he thought would shape the fate of his children and mine."

Williamson served in the Legislature for more than 20 years. Perry named him to the transportation commission in 2001, and Williamson became chairman in 2004.