Rufus John Williams, III

Mr. Rufus John Williams III (75) of Tampa, Florida passed away on February 25, 2023, at Tampa General Hospital surrounded by family. Rufus, affectionately known as "Papa Ruf, Ruf Dog, and Pawpaw" was born to Philip Joseph and Virginia Williams on January 15, 1948, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Growing up, he was a talented student-athlete and attended Hall High School in Little Rock. A Veteran of the United States Marines Corps, Rufus went on to attend The College of Insurance in New York City and began his career in the insurance brokerage industry with Johnson & Higgins while attending school. He excelled at Johnson & Higgins over the course of an approximately 30-year career in Houston, Chicago, and New York. He was a Partner with the firm later in his career until its sale to Marsh McLennan in 1997. Following his career with Johnson & Higgins, Rufus professionally focused on private investments and eventually relocated to Tampa, Florida in 2010 embracing a retirement lifestyle and focusing on real estate investment opportunities with his sons.

Rufus is survived by his wife of 53 years, Helen Marie, and their four children including his son Rufus IV and his wife Monica along with granddaughters Gracyn, Olivia, Cecilia, and Isabelle; his son Charles and his wife Kimberly and grandson Davis; his daughter Heather and her husband Edouard and grandchildren Phoebe, Sebastien, and Annaliese; his son Gregory and his wife Annie and grandchildren James, Clara, Adelaide, Luke, and Virginia; brother Lewin; sisters Ellen and Lee; and numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Rufus was predeceased by his parents, Philip Joseph and Virginia, and his brother Philip.

A member of the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and a Trustee at The University of Tampa, Rufus had a strong passion for fishing, hunting, golf, world travel, cigars, history, and politics. However, his strongest passion was for his family and supporting children and educational causes including Boys Hope Girls Hope, The University of Tampa, and other worthy organizations.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 6pm to 8pm at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at MacDill Ave., 605 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa. A funeral mass will be held on Friday March 3, 2023, at 10:00am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 821 S. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, with interment to follow at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Boys Hope Girls Hope https://boyshopegirlshope.org/donate/ or the Tampa General Hospital Foundation https://www.tgh.org/foundation/giving/make-a-gift in his memory.

On behalf of the Williams family, thank you for those that attended the services for Rufus. For those that could not attend the family is sorry they missed you. Rufus Williams IV eulogy is below that he read at mass for those that were not able to hear it.

THE MOST INTERESTING MAN IN THE WORLD

A great marketing campaign about a fictional savant that travels the world and impresses everyone that he meets along the way. Why do we all recall these famous commercials about a gentleman that “when he drinks, he drinks a particular kind of beer?” It is not because of the product that is being promoted. It is because we remember the character, the myth, the aura, the spirit of the man that embraces every aspect of life on earth.

Rufus John Williams III “Papa Ruf, Ruf Dog, Pawpaw” was a COOL DUDE!

He had a passion and drive for knowledge, a work ethic predicated on excellence, and a LOVE for everyone around him. He was a profound philosopher, an accomplished student of history and law, an incredible listener, and an eternal optimist who ALWAYS saw the best in ANYONE who chose to seek his counsel. Rufus was a leader, a mentor, a motivator, and a developer of talent that knew how to bring a team of people together to accomplish goals that would bring happiness and prosperity to everyone involved.

Growing up, I had always attended public school. Unexpectedly, that changed as I was confirmed a catholic and my dad INSISTED that I attend a local Jesuit high school in suburban Chicago called Loyola Academy. This was an extreme departure from what had been a routine solely focused on academics. Loyola was an all-male institution. Students were required to wear uniforms, to perform community service, and to study religion. There were only four or five students from my middle school that would be joining me at Loyola. I was anxious and concerned about the future as I began my formative teenage years.

At the time, the motto of Loyola Academy was “Men for Others.” My dad LOVED that ethos, and he always told me that I would be a better person if I honored his wishes, I attended the school, and I applied myself.

Before the start of freshman year, Loyola sent all the incoming families an information packet that included a flyer about a limited opportunity to attend a camp in western Ontario near International Falls, Minnesota. This was a typical wilderness camp experience with hiking, camping, canoeing, swimming, and sailing except for ONE major difference. This was a camp owned and operated by a charitable organization for young men that had been displaced from their families and living in foster care.

At the time, this organization was known as “Boys Hope”. Today, it is known as “Boys Hope Girls Hope” in large part due to my dad’s involvement for many years on its national Board of Directors.

In 1977, Father Paul Sheridan SJ had founded a group home in the metro St. Louis area for young men identified as “intellectually gifted” by the local social services team as an alternative to the traditional foster care system. Father Sheridan found benefactors to provide the resources that would allow these students to live peacefully in a group home setting and attend the Jesuit high school where he was a priest and instructor. His plan was to provide resources for these young men to pursue their academic goals all the way through college and hopefully become leaders and professionals within their respective communities.

When I was introduced to the organization, there were students from four group homes in metro New Orleans, St. Louis, Chicago, and Minneapolis, making their way by motor coach to the camp for a six-week adventure. There were approximately a dozen students from Loyola Academy attending the camp and most of the participants lived in the local group home owned and managed by Boys Hope. I was one of only a handful of campers joining the group that came from a stable, traditional, and reasonably affluent family. It was truly a revelation. My dad knew the experience would make me a stronger, more adaptive, more empathetic, and more confident person. During my time there, Father Sheridan witnessed my progression as a leader, a mentor, and a motivator. He asked me about my family, and I proceeded to tell him about THE MOST INTERESTING MAN IN THE WORLD.

Soon thereafter, Father Sheridan reached out to my dad, and they began a journey together that expanded the organization and eventually brought similar group home opportunities to young women in need.

My dad HAS ALWAYS been a “Man for Others.”

A man who valued education, adored children, treasured the United States of America, expounded faith, and loved his family.

When my dad was fortunate enough to fall in love with my mother, Helen Marie, he knew there was a potential for controversy. Rufus was not raised a catholic. He pondered a future with her; and following intense introspection and the counsel of his mother and father, dad lovingly, willingly began to pursue catechism instruction without Helen Marie’s knowledge. My dad CHOSE to convert to Catholicism.

Yes, Rufus did that out of unwavering LOVE.

When I doubted my ability to learn a new language as an adult. To live, to speak, and to work in a French corporation as a newlywed, my dad evolved into a trusted confidant and his continuous counsel has helped me to succeed as a professional, a husband, and a father.

When my brother, Chuck, wanted to make a career change and be closer to our immediate family, my dad listened intently and provided him with invaluable guidance and courage.

When my sister, Heather, wanted to pursue her dreams as a fashion and shoe designer, my dad helped cultivate and realize her exceptional talent.

When my brother, Gregory, envisioned a family real estate business, my dad helped him execute a plan that eventually evolved into Cardinal Point.

My dad has called many places home throughout his life, and he always went out of his way to become a leader within the local community.

Tampa, Florida was my dad’s final home, and he ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS COMMUNITY!

He always told me that it was a blessing to be here. My father believed that becoming a part of a new community was a matter of earning the respect of the residents. He had this analogy about a beach ball in the middle of a swimming pool. If you swim at it too fast, the wave action will push the ball away. However, if you gently swim beneath the surface, you can easily rise to grab the ball.

That was my dad’s counsel when we arrived in Tampa. Bring your knowledge and work ethic to bear in building our business but embrace the local customs and traditions. Eventually, he told us that we would be accepted and trusted by everyone in the community.

Yes, my dad has TOUCHED all of us here today.

He truly was the embodiment of a “Man for Others.”

THE MOST INTERESTING MAN IN THE WORLD!