DELAND, Fla. -- Al Williams, chairman of the School Board of Volusia County, died this morning at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach surrounded by family and friends. He was 70 years old.
Williams represented School Board District 2, encompassing Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet, South Daytona and a portion of Port Orange. Funeral arrangements are not yet finalized.
"Dr. Williams was a loyal member of the 'Team Volusia' family," Schools Superintendent Margaret Smith said in a prepared statement. "He had a big personality and a bigger heart for students, teachers and the world of education. Dr. Al, as he was affectionately known, will be deeply missed."
Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno who has known Williams for years, also paid homage to him, stating, "This is very sad news. Al was a good friend and a citizen who was very dedicated to his community. He especially was concerned about education which was reflected in his many years of service as a member of our school board. I know I speak for the entire Volusia County Council when I saw this is a great loss for our community. Our thoughts are with his wife, Kathy, and his family."
"Dr. Williams was a loyal member of the 'Team Volusia' family," Schools Superintendent Margaret Smith said in a prepared statement. "He had a big personality and a bigger heart for students, teachers and the world of education. Dr. Al, as he was affectionately known, will be deeply missed."
Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno who has known Williams for years, also paid homage to him, stating, "This is very sad news. Al was a good friend and a citizen who was very dedicated to his community. He especially was concerned about education which was reflected in his many years of service as a member of our school board. I know I speak for the entire Volusia County Council when I saw this is a great loss for our community. Our thoughts are with his wife, Kathy, and his family."
Williams was a dedicated family man, an accomplished educator and administrator, an active community volunteer and successful businessman. He dedicated his life to providing a quality education for every child and an excellent working environment for teachers, school district spokewswoman Nancy Wait said in a press release announcing the death.
Williams' education included a doctoral degree in educational administration from Columbia University, a master's degree from both Northeastern Illinois University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's College in Minnesota. Williams was a teacher and a professor and worked as an educational consultant for low-performing high schools for Chicago Public Schools. He also was the executive director of the personnel department for the Austin (Texas) Independent School District From 1984-1992.
Williams served as a Volusia County School Board member and was re-elected in 2004, when he returned to Florida. He had just won a new four-year term in the August primary.
Wait said the process for filling the school board seat vacancy is governed by state election law. Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall is consulting the Florida Division of Elections on the matter, Wait added.
.jpg)
