Gary Alan Williams

1950 - 2025

Gary Alan Williams
05/24/1950 - 08/16/2025
Gary Alan Williams of Dallas, Texas, died suddenly on August 16, 2025, surrounded by family. He was born on May 24, 1950, in Houston to Jesse W. Williams and Bertha Mae Collins Williams. He was educated in the Houston public schools and graduated from Milby High School in 1968.

Upon graduation he attended The University of Texas at Austin where he was an active member of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. No one who knew Gary could doubt his devotion to the University of Texas at Austin. A Life Member of Texas Exes, Gary had a deep loyalty to the University, and to the many friends he made while there. Those friendships endured over fifty years.

In 1972 he earned his BBA from UT. Following a year of post graduate study, Gary began his career in Houston with IBM in the Data Processing Division, quickly being named Salesman of the Year.

In 1978 he was promoted to the Dallas Regional office of IBM, before eventually becoming the New Business Marketing Manager of the Dallas branch office. He always attributed much of his later success to the exceptional training IBM provided during those early years.

In the early 1980s Gary joined the consulting division of Coopers and Lybrand, eventually becoming a Senior National Partner heading both the Dallas Technology Consulting practice and the National Outsourcing Consulting practice.

Following a successful career at C & L he co-founded The Harbour Group in 1996 along with John Winslow. The company specialized in information technology advisory consulting, network computing services, project and vendor management, and outsourcing services. Gary was also co-owner and CEO of Trade One Marketing. He and his team helped to grow and sell this sector-leading services company to a partner within the industry.

Over the years Gary enjoyed serving on The University of Texas at Austin Information Systems Advisory Council; was a Guest Advisor to The Board of the Dallas Bar Association; was an international guest lecturer on the topic of "Strategic Outsourcing"; and was a trusted IT advisor to multiple Fortune 500 CIOs. In the past he served on the Information Technology Committee at Jesuit College Preparatory School. He was a former Board Member and President of the USA Film Festival.

Gary was a life-long Methodist and a member of the St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano, Texas.

In retirement, despite several medical setbacks, he enjoyed family fishing trips to the Rainbow Drive Resort on the peaceful and beautiful banks of the White River in Arkansas. In later years, he and his wife divided their time between Dallas and their home in Santa Fe, NM. But their favorite thing was spending time with their granddaughters.

More than his professional accomplishments, Gary would want to be remembered as a devoted father, husband, and friend. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Valerie; son Jordan Williams and daughter-in-law, Cora; daughter Jacquelyn Blair Williams; daughter and son-in-law Parrish Williams-Dunne and John Dunne; granddaughters Paisley Williams and Margot Dunne; sister and brother-in-law Gail Williams Stevens and Larry Stevens; Brother-in-law Frank Newman; niece Stephanie Stevens Geraldi; and nephew Matthew Newman.

Gary was preceded in death by his daughter Lara Ashley Williams and his parents.

A Memorial service will be held on Monday, September 22nd, at 11:00 a.m. in the Hasley Chapel at St. Andrew Methodist Church, 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Cancer Research Institute or the American Cancer Society.