Ric Williamson, Governor Rick Perry’s appointment as Chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission, died suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Weatherford on Sunday, December 30, 2007. He was 55.
Chairman Williamson was by all accounts a very intense and strong-willed individual. He was well-known as the champion for the construction of both public and privately-owned toll roads in Texas.
Chairman Williamson appointed Texas Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Robin Stallings to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Bicycle Advisory Committee in 2002. “We certainly disagreed with him on a number of bicycle-related issues,” said Stallings, “but anyone who knew him had no doubt that he was doing what he strongly believed was in the best interest of Texas.”
TBC had frequent interaction with Mr. Williamson through recent legislative efforts including the proposed but not passed Safe Passing Bill legislation in Spring 2007 and TBC’s unsuccessful Safe Routes to School Grant application to TxDOT in September 2007. (TBC is in the tenth year of a grant with TxDOT for the SuperCyclist bike safety program.)
WIlliamson is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, three daughters and two grandchildren. TBC offers its condolences to the Williamson family and to TxDOT employees and Transportation Commissioners on their great loss.
