THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, March 13, 1941

 

Another of the old-time friends of Flagler county is dead - - Col. W. A. MacWilliams of St. Augustine who was 78 years of age on January 9.

Colonel MacWilliams served 22 years in the Florida legislature, most of them in the senate. It was he who helped create what is now Flagler County from portions of St. Johns and Volusia in 1917 and maintained an active interest in the affairs of this county until his death.

Back about the time of the creation of the county his son-in-law, Ray Hendricks, was cashier of the Bunnell State Bank, and the family had other interest here then.

Flagler county’s friendship for the veteran legislator was exhibited every time he ran for office - - giving him a substantial majority each time. And when he retired from active politics, many persons from here often consulted him at his office in St. Augustine.

He was born in Camden, N. J, on January 9, 1863, spent his boyhood in Baltimore, Md., and came to Florida in 1885.

Colonel MacWilliams was connected with the Florida National Guard for many years, and at one time held the rank of brigadier general. As adjutant general of Florida, he was in military control of the city of Jacksonville during the aftermath of the disastrous fire of 1901.

He was president of the State Senate in 1921 and 1922. A lawyer by profession, he was admitted to the state bar in 1885 at the age of 22.

He is survived by his widow and two daughters, Mrs., Gertrude M. Calhoun and Mrs. May Hendricks, both of Orlando; a son, Emmett, of Jacksonville; also two brothers and a sister, who reside in Baltimore.

He was buried in St. Augustine last Monday, with a number of prominent Flagler County citizens attending.