Pete Williams

Ralph Pete Williams
Dob: 1/7/1927
Dod: 7/4/2025
Born and raised in Miami, FL
Pete graduated from Miami Senior High School in 1945. He graduated from U.S. Naval Academy 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was president of his class at the Academy all 4 years. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1957 with a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He met Jeanne Crammond in high school and they were married in 1950. They were married for 62 years when she passed away in 2012.
At Miami Senior High School he was a member of the track and basketball teams, but his exceptional abilities were in the game of football. His nickname was "Pistol Pete" because no one could catch him. At Navy, he became one of the better halfbacks in college football during the 1946-48 span.
He started his bridge construction business in 1962, Volunteer Construction Corporation, named after the state of Tennessee, where his parents were from. He had a 26-year avocation as a Southeastern Conference (SEC) college football referee. During his years of activity (1957-83) with the Southeastern Conference he served in various capacities including president, chief referee and as a member of the Coaches and Officials Committee.
He was inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame in 1990 as a football referee. The esteem in which he was held as a top-ranking referee is summarized in his citation which reads "Pete Williams has been granted the highest honors of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, in recognition of his outstanding officiating in intercollegiate competition, his sportsmanship, integrity, character and his contribution to the sport of football." He was the 7th and youngest referee to be inducted into that Hall of Fame.
He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Miami Touchdown Club and was a member of the Orange Bowl Committee serving as Chairman of the Team Selection Committee. He served as an Elder and member of the board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church of Miami.
He is survived by his 3 daughters, Susan Lynn Williams of Miami, Beth Williams Daniel (Joseph, Jr.) of LaGrange, GA and Nancy Willliams Stroh (Edwin) of Miami. He has 3 grandchildren, Jeannie Daniel, PhD, Laura Daniel (John Edenfield) and Joseph Daniel (Ashley) and 5 great-grandchildren, Brooks, Winnie and Ford Daniel and Grayson and Elliott Edenfield.
A memorial service to honor his life will be held at a later date.