George Williams Jr.

George Frederick "Fred" Williams Jr., 87, died Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in the loving presence of his daughters at HarborChase in Tallahassee, Fla.

He was born July 31, 1926, in Miami to G. Frederick Williams Sr. and Katrina Worley Williams.

Fred served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, patrolling the Straits of Florida.

He received a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Florida in 1950. He worked with NASA at Langley Research Center in Virginia, and spent most of his career working with the city of Miami as principal engineer on various projects, including the downtown People Mover monorail. He was also a member of the research faculty at the University of Miami.

Prior to moving to Tallahassee, Fred spent many years improving his ancestral farmstead, Big Hill, in Jackson.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Fred was a faithful member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Tallahassee. He was also a member of the Tallahassee American Legion, and BPOE in Jackson.

Fred was a loving father, an exceptionally honorable man, and a true gentleman.

Survivors include two daughters, Kathleen (Cliff) Adlerz and Katrina Williams; two granddaughters, Katrina and Alicia Adlerz; a sister, Mary Kate (retired Col. Daniel F.) Johnson, their children Mebane Johnson and Chris Nixon, and stepson Paul (Evelyn) Jones. He is also survived by great friends Elna Sapp and David Butler.

He was preceded by his beloved wife, Velma Sessions Williams; and the mother of his children, Margot Williams Hicken.

The service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at St. John's Church in Tallahassee. A reception will follow at the church.

Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial donations are welcomed in Fred's name to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758518, Topeka, KS 66675.

The family wishes to thank the staff of HarborChase for their loving care, as well as Big Bend Hospice for their support of Fred and his family.