Rick Williams

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Personal Information

Rick Williams, Mayor Pro Tem and District 7 Council Member, was elected to his first term on City Council in May 2007. Prior to running for office, Mr. Williams had served on several City boards and special committees including the Park Board, the Utility Advisory Board, the North Area Plan Revision Committee, the North Area Plan Implementation Committee just to name a few. He has also served his neighborhood as president (three terms), vice president and treasurer of the Camelot Neighborhood Association. As Camelot Neighborhood Code Chairman, Mr. Williams worked with the City’s Code Compliance department to address various neighborhood concerns. He also shared his passion for gardening with his neighborhood by creating and maintaining a community garden on a previously unattractive vacant City lot.

“I have always had an interest in gardening, so about five years ago I started going to Richland College at night. I received my Associate Degree in Ornamental Horticulture in May 2007,” says Mr. Williams.

Mr. Williams and his wife, Janet, moved to Garland in 1980 to raise their two sons. Mr. Williams coached his boys in Little League, soccer and basketball. “Being involved with your children as they grow up is what life is all about,” says Mr. Williams. “Garland provided a great environment for that to happen.” His sons (one a Texas A&M grad and one a UT grad) now have successful careers of their own.

In January 2007, Mr. Williams retired from the Social Security Administration after 35 years of dedicated service. He decided that his retired status would allow him a good opportunity to represent District 7’s needs on the Garland City Council. “I realized that I could do this job well because of my years of experience in my community and working with the City,” says Mr. Williams.

As he knocked on doors campaigning, Mr. Williams heard a recurring theme of resident concerns: the need to address code compliance issues. He says one of his primary goals is to help find ways to strengthen code compliance in Garland.

Mr. Williams record of service also extends to the military. He spent three years in the U.S. Army after graduation from Texas A&M with a BA in Business Administration. He spent most of his time flying helicopters and received the Bronze Star for Service, Air Medal for Valor and a Purple Heart during his one year in Vietnam. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Management and Administrative Science from the University of Texas at Dallas.