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Harvey Lee David Williams, age 82, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida passed away at his home on Sunday, February 2, 2020. He was born September 3, 1937 in Esto, Florida to his loving parents, Alfred and Ruth Williams.
Harvey “Bo” as he was called by his friends at Choctawhatchee High School, graduated in 1956 and was involved in the hobby club, music club, dancing club and the band. His high school quote: “Foolery, Sir, does walk about the orb like the sun; it shines everywhere.” Harvey’s ambition was to retire a millionaire at age 23. Harvey also served his country in the National Guard Reserves.
Harvey Williams, President and CEO, Williams Electric Company Inc.
Harvey Williams was with the company since before it was incorporated in 1968. He grew the company from performing on small housing electrical jobs, to commercial and industrial electrical work, to large scale design/build control system integration projects, to energy conservation improvement projects, to general contractor. He changed the company from performing mainly as a subcontractor to performing as a prime contractor by winning several US Government 5-year task order contracts.
As a commercial and industrial electrical contractor, Mr. Williams directed the company in winning electrical contracts for runway lighting, substation switchgear and transformers, diesel and turbine generators, lightning suppression, and electrical wiring and lighting of high rise buildings, condominiums, schools, banks, retail stores, churches, pharmacies, and military barracks, dining halls, and test facilities.
As a control systems integrator company, Mr. Williams guided the company’s expansion in to designing and installing some of the first Utility Monitoring and Control Systems (UMCS) for the U.S. Army’s facilities and expanding WEC into providing SCADA systems for critical national defense customers. Under his leadership, Williams Electric Company installed and maintained Electronic Security Systems for military and government customers; this included being entrusted with providing electronic security for the priceless cultural, historical, and national treasures in the Smithsonian Institution’s museums and collections.
In recent years, Mr. Williams directed the expansion of the company into Energy Conservation Improvement Program (ECIP) projects for lighting efficiency upgrades, HVAC efficiency upgrades and optimization, and renewable energy projects (solar, wind, daylighting, and ground source heat pumps). He was also ultimately responsible for the company’s industry leadership in Advanced Metering projects for the U.S. Army.
As a licensed electrical contractor, the company is also considered to be a general contractor and has performed in this role in many electrical, control system integration, and energy conservation projects. He directed the company’s involvement in Access Control Point (ACP) projects for the modification of military vehicle gate entrances gate houses, guard booths, canopies, active vehicle barriers, drop arm gates, traffic signals, CCTV cameras and recorders, generators, UPS systems, and wrong-way and over-height detectors using a variety of subcontractors. As a prime contractor, the company has managed many types of subcontractors including Architectural and Engineering (A&E) design firms and every type construction trade company.
Harvey was an avid fisherman and profound pilot and thoroughly enjoyed working, traveling, snow skiing, reading, playing the guitar and exercising in the gym.
Harvey is survived by his loving wife, Linda S. Williams of Fort Walton Beach FL., they were married September 5, 1998 at their home in Fort Walton Beach, FL.; children, Jan (Chris) Kirby, Karen (Danny) Ditommaso and Domnic Snyder; grandchildren, Brogen(Benjamin) Mowczan, Quade Kirby, Destin Kirby and Haley (Trenton) Dixon; brothers, Herschel (Janeane) Williams, Randy Williams; sister, Linda Jones and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father, Alfred H. Williams; mother, Ruth Williams; former wife, Elaine E. Williams; granddaughter, Kira Elaine Kirby and sister in law Jeanine Williams.
Visitation services will be held Saturday, February 8, 2020, Shalimar United Methodist Church, beginning at 1:00 p.m. with the funeral service starting at 2:00 p.m., Pastor John Hunt will be officiating the service. Guest speakers include Aubrey Gouner, Pamela Karmo and Phil Humber. Burial will follow the service at Beal Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Drake, Aaron Crouch, Jay Terflinger, David Dobratz, Mitch Merchant and Trenton Dixon.
A reception in Harvey’s honor will follow the graveside service beginning at 4:30 p.m. at WaterVue at Brooks Street, 203 Brooks Street SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
A special thank you is extended to Harvey’s caretakers and also Emerald Coast Hospice. With their devotion to Harvey, he was able to share smiles and laughs, which was comforting to the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA).
Please visit www.daviswatkins.com to sign the guestbook, express condolences and share memories.