Richard F. "Ric" Williamson

Richard F. ("Ric") Williamson was a commissioner of the Texas Transportation Commission and served as that body’s chair as it supervised statewide activities of the Texas Department of Transportation. He was appointed to the commission by Governor. Rick Perry in March 2001 and was named the group’s chair effective January. 29, 2004. Prior to his appointment to the Texas Transportation Commission, Ric served from 1985-1998 in the Texas Legislature. He served on a number of legislative committees including: House/Senate Budget Conference Committee, Appropriations Committee (vice chairman), Ways And Means Committee, House Select Committee on Revenue and Public Education Funding, House/Senate Criminal Justice Conference Committee, Health and Human Services Conference Committee, Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee, and the House/Senate Fiscal Management Conference Committee. Ric served on several boards including the Southern Regional Education Board, Legislative Budget Board, Department of Information Resources, Uniform Statewide Accounting System Committee, the Southern Legislative Conference, and the Weatherford Little League Association. His professional and legislative accomplishments earned him many awards from Texas media, including recognition twice (1989 and 1991) by Texas Monthly magazine as among the "Ten Best Legislators." Further recognitions included the Dallas Morning News "Best of the 75th Legislative Session" in 1997, and the 1992 Texas Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award. Born in Abilene, he graduated with a B.A. degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1974. Ric and his wife Mary Ann went on to build their natural gas production company, MKS Natural Gas Company.  Ric loved spending time with grandchildren. He is survived by:  wife, Mary Ann of Weatherford Three Daughters Melissa Meyer and husband Randy of Weatherford  Katherine Strange and husband Matthew of Houston  Sara Williamson  of Houston Mother Jane Gray and husband Gordon of Abilene Sister Julie Gilliland and husband Burt of Fort Worth Brother Steve Williamson of Midland Grandchildren Annabelle Strange and Jack Meyer Memorial Service 3:00 pm Thursday January 3, 2008 in the Jerry Durant Auditorium at Weatherford High School. 

In Lieu of other remembrances the family requests donations be made to The American Heart Association and The Alzheimer’s Association