Gordon Bretnell Williams

Gordon Bretnell Williams DANIEL ISLAND - Gordon Bretnell Williams, 88, of Daniel Island, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2017, at home with his family at his side. In a career of over fifty years, Bret was an internationally-recognized businessman in the field of engineering and construction. Born outside of Philadelphia on April 3, 1929, he graduated from Yale University, where he pledged the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy before settling in Detroit, Michigan, where he became President of Cunningham-Limp Company. Relocating to Cleveland, Ohio, in the mid-1970s to work for Morrison Knudsen (later known as Washington Group International), Bret rose to President of the construction division. Philanthropic activities included seven years on the Board of Directors including Board Chair, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Chairman, Board of Directors, YMCA of Greater Cleveland; Board of Directors, St. Vincent's Charity Hospital, Cleveland. He and his wife, Betty M. Schwab, whom he married in 1999, retired to Daniel Island, South Carolina in 2005. In addition to his wife, Bret is survived by his brother, Thomas W. "Tim" (Heidi) Williams, Jr.; his children from a former marriage, Lucy Chase Williams and her husband, Gilbert Brand, and Marcus Bretnell "Bart" (Martha) Williams; granddaughters Baird (Mitchell) Bass, Kate Chase (William Henry III) Seitz, Jean Mary Williams and Madeleine Suzanne Williams; Betty's children Jeffrey (Marci) Schwab, and Jenny (Frank) Gromosky; Betty's grandchildren, Jamie Schwab, Libby Schwab, Kyle Schwab, Erika Gromosky; Frank Gromosky, Jr. Donations in his name may be made to the YMCA. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston