Commissioner Williamson Passes Away
Commissioner Williamson Passes Away
Santa Rosa County on behalf of the Williamson family sadly announces the passing of Commissioner Jim Williamson at his home with his family by his side late last night, April 2. Williamson, 67, was a life-long resident of Santa Rosa County. First elected to the Santa Rosa County Board of Commission District 1 office in 1996, he was re-elected without opposition in 2000. Williamson was once again elected by the citizens of Santa Rosa County in 2008 and 2012 to represent District 1. Williamson served as vice chairman of the board in 1997-1998 and 2010-2012 and chairman in 1998-1999 and 2011-2012. He retired on April 1 due to declining health issues and to spend time with his family.
After graduating from Milton High School in 1964, Williamson played four years of professional baseball in the St. Louis Cardinal organization. Williamson was a state certified electrical contractor and owned and operated his local business, Williamson Electrical Co., Inc. since 1976. Prior to being elected county commissioner, Williamson was a member of the Milton City Council from 1977 to 1985. Throughout the years, he has been active in youth athletics as a parent, coach and sponsor, and won several awards including the God in Government Award and the Santa Rosa County Chamber Leader of the Year. A devout Christian, he and his wife, Paulette, are members of Immanuel Baptist Church. They have five sons, five daughters-in-law and are proud grandparents of 11 grandchildren.
Highly regarded and respected for his honesty, fiscal prudence and vision for the future of Santa Rosa County, a few of the many county accomplishments during his tenure include:
· Fiscal accountability and working within the county budget so not to place an additional burden on residents or businesses
· Streamlining the building permitting and inspection process, emphasizing customer service and using multidiscipline inspectors
· The construction of county buildings that were fiscally conservative yet met the needs of the citizens including the county administration complex, jail, the emergency operation center, animal services, expansion of the public services complex and the addition of the engineering building
· Enhancing recreational opportunities including:
o Construction of the Spencerfield sidewalks
o Collaborating with then District 3 Commissioner Bill Lundin to purchase property and construct the Santa Rosa Soccer/Horse Complex and the Santa Rosa Sportsplex
o Construction of the Pace Community Center and playground in collaboration with current District 3 Commissioner Don Salter
o Improvements at the Pace Area Recreation Association Football Park
o Moving the PATA Tennis complex at Benny Russell Park closer to fruition
o Archie Glover Park canal dredging & construction of fishing docks
o Renovation of Benny Russell Park
o Marine Science Center and Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center partnerships
o Construction of the Navarre Beach Pier
· Expansion and job creation at the Santa Rosa Industrial Park including the Blackwater River Correctional Facility, H.T. Hackney Distribution Center, Gulf Cable and Goldring Gulf Distributing Company.
· Five Points intersection realignment
· Safety improvements, hangar expansion and the addition of a second fixed based operator at Peter Prince Airport
· The construction of a connector road between Home Depot and Santa Rosa Commons
The Santa Rosa County Commission has requested that Governor Rick Scott issue a memorandum to fly flags at half-staff in honor of Commissioner Williamson’s life-long service to the residents of Santa Rosa County.
