Edwin Gex Williams Jr.

Edwin Gex Williams Jr, 89, a Ft Lauderdale native, passed away at the Woodlands of John Knox Village Monday, May 8th. A memorial service will be held 1:00 pm Sunday May 14th at First Presbyterian Church 401 SE 15th Ave Ft Lauderdale. A visitation will be held 1:00 pm Saturday May 13th at the 9th floor lobby of Heritage Tower, John Knox Village 451 Heritage Dr Pompano Beach FL. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Gilda's Club South Florida, 119 Rose Drive, Ft Lauderdale FL 33316. (http://gildasclubsouthflorida.org/) Gex was born June 10th, 1927 in the Ft Lauderdale home of E Gex and Helen King Williams because there was no hospital in Broward County. He grew up in the historic Rose Drive home built by his grandparents, which is now Gilda's Club House. As a youth Gex (pronounced jay) worked the family business Williams McWilliams, then Ft Lauderdale's only ice cream shop, and South Florida's first dairy to pasteurize milk. A proud Flying L, he played trumpet in Ft Lauderdale High's first band, and weekend USO dances for the troops during WWII. Gex graduated high school in January 1945, at 17 and enlisted in the US Navy. Gex's grandparents William and Anna Williams moved to Ft Lauderdale in 1923 and his parents Gex and Helen Williams followed in 1926. In 1928 they became members of First Presbyterian Church. His father was fifth Commodore of Lauderdale Yacht Club. Joining his father's Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at the University of Florida Gex met the love of his life, Pike Dream Girl Betty Morrison of Gainesville. In 1951, after earning a BS in Engineering, Gex returned to Ft Lauderdale with his wife Betty. Gex and Betty raised their 3 children Gex, Steve and Sandra in Wilton Manors where he founded the civil engineering firm of Williams, Hatfield and Stoner (WH&S). Gex's sister Helen married George Richardson and they became best friends and brothers, living and serving together in Wilton Manors as city attorney and city engineer for decades. In the 60's, 70's and 80's WH&S designed and oversaw expansions at Port Everglades, and Ft Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport, as well as Borden's South Florida Dairy. As city engineer for many cities Gex helped develop South Florida's building codes. He designed much of the infrastructure that South Florida residents take for granted today, including the replacement of septic tanks with modern sewer systems. Gex served as President of the Florida Engineering Society and the Rotary Club, as well as other professional and civic groups. He served on First Federal of Broward (later Glendale Federal) Board of Directors as a champion of affordable home loans. To Gex, Ft Lauderdale was not just a good place to work, it was the best place to live and play. His passion for sailing and boating led him to become Lauderdale Yacht Club's first second-generation Commodore. As Commodore of the Gulf Stream Sailing Club he promoted family sailboat racing and cruising. Gex was Deacon and Elder at First Presbyterian Church and guided his life by the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". True religion for Gex was helping widows and orphans without fanfare or recognition. Many children in Wilton Manors were unknowingly helped by his kindness in sponsoring them in school and sport activities, senior trips and even weddings. People and relationships were always more important than money. His definition of success is leaving the world better than you found it. Gex's first words in the morning were generally, "another beautiful day in paradise". He has gone on to an even better paradise, and his beloved Ft Lauderdale is a little better for the time he spent here. Gex is predeceased by his parents E Gex and Helen King Williams, and Judge George and (sister) Helen Williams Richardson. Gex is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty Morrison Williams and their 3 children, 15 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. The Edwin Gex III and Judy Bixler Williams family: David and Melissa, Sandra, Anna, Katie; Mark and Jessica, Leah, Michael, Brianna, Brayden, Alyssa; Daniel and Jordan; Sarah and Seth Holman, Zeke; E Gex IV and Rachel, son; and Betsy. The Stephen Donald and Holly Anderson Williams family: Stephen and Kristi Del Sol Williams, Danielle; Matthew; Caroline; and Christopher. The Wayne and Sandra Williams Marlowe family: Rachael and Aaron Bullock, Jacquelyn, Rebecca, Micah, Malachi; Daniel and Florence Lambert Marlowe, Adelyn; Byron and Britney Roberts Marlowe, Peyton, Caleb; Susannah and Josue Galan, Elise, Lydia; and Caton.