Kenneth “Ted” Williams passed away at home on Ted’s Hill in Dade City, Florida on June 11,
2026, at the age of 91.
Ted was born in 1935 in the Central Pasco Community of Ehren, now part of Land O’ Lakes.
The second youngest of eight siblings born to Payton R. and Violet F. Williams, five who lived
past infancy, he grew up deep in the woods without electricity and running water alongside
hogs, chickens and orange trees. He was a third-generation Pasco Countian and was one of
only a handful of other students to graduate from eighth grade, though he famously skipped his
graduation ceremony to go fishing.
He graduated from Pasco High School in 1952 and went on to attend the University of Tampa,
continuing to work on local farms while attending classes. He graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor
of Science degree in Mathematics and Statistics before continuing his studies in graduate
school at Florida State University. He was the first person from central Pasco County to
graduate from college.
He applied and was accepted to the United States Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport,
Rhode Island. Upon completion he became a commissioned officer and was stationed for active
duty in Newport. While in Newport he met and married Barbara Marie Fell, a US Navy nurse, in
1960.
After active duty he returned to Land O’ Lakes, Florida, and took over the family’s citrus groves.
He was elected to the Pasco County School Board in 1962 where he served until 1968. During
his time on the school board, he worked hard to integrate schools after the Civil Rights Act of
1964. It was one of his proudest accomplishments.
In 1968 he was elected to the position of Pasco County Tax Assessor. He was reelected six
times, retiring as Property Appraiser in 1996. During his tenure he played a key role in
computerizing Pasco County property records and starting the groundwork for the county’s
geographic information system. He continued to serve his country as a reservist in the U.S.
Navy, officially retiring in 1995 and attaining the rank of Commander. He was a prominent local
politician, supporting successful campaigns in state political races and serving as a local
organizer for former President Jimmy Carter.
Ted served his local community as well, helping found the Land O’ Lakes Little League and
serving as its first president. He was a member of the initial Land O’ Lakes High School
Accreditation Committee and assisted with fundraising efforts for the construction of the high
school’s football stadium in 1975. In addition, he was a member of American Legion Post 108
and J.F. Swartsel Masonic Lodge No. 251 F. & A.M.
Ted was the longest-tenured elected official of his time and knew every inch of Pasco County.
Other local and state leaders often sought his wisdom, so no one was surprised when he was
voted the most influential person in Pasco County in the Pasco Tribune in 1986. He was known
to be gruff and blunt at times but was also quick with a joke and always willing to help his many
friends.
He continued with citrus farming, teaching his sons to work in the groves and spending long
days and nights working to irrigate the trees during times of drought as well as working to
protect the trees from freezing temperatures. He stopped citrus farming when the disease
known as citrus greening, which has devastated many groves statewide, became prevalent
throughout the area.
Ted had a few odd hobbies, including collecting carved birds and reading the Florida Statutes
for fun. He enjoyed a good game of golf, hunting and fishing because of his lifelong love of
being outdoors and spending time with friends and family. After retirement, he and his wife of
nearly 66 years, Barbara, traveled across the United States and visited many national parks.
Spending time in the mountains of Colorado was always his favorite.
He later moved to his eponymous hill in Dade City, where he lived with Barbara, and next door
to his son Chris, daughter-in-law Bonnie, and three adored grandchildren. He is survived by his
sons Mike, Chris (Bonnie) and Alex, sister Shirley Larson (Richland, Washington), and
grandchildren Tyler (Erin), Kylie and Christy.
He was a generous and gracious grandfather to his grandchildren Tyler, (whom he called “string
bean”) Kylie (or simply “my eldest granddaughter”) and Christiana (his “peanut”). He never
forgot the value of hard work and education, proudly supporting his grandchildren to pursue
their degrees.
As a life-long resident of Pasco County, Ted had a vast knowledge of its history, especially its
political history. He had a knack for storytelling and could recall the many adventures of his life
and career with vivid detail — and if he was right, he would never let you forget it.
Yet for all of his political and professional accomplishments, his greatest achievement was his
family. He and Barbara spent their lives together, taking care of one another in love long into
their old age. He loved and was endlessly proud of his three sons, who grew to be as
hardworking and outdoorsy as their father.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
