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11/6/2020
Pat Williams, former general chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET)'s BNSF General Committee of Adjustment, died Oct. 29 from complications related to a blood infection, union officials announced this week. He was 68.
Williams was a U.S. Navy veteran and served in Vietnam. He began his rail career in July 1969 as a conductor for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (AT&SF) Railroad, and was promoted to locomotive engineer in 1978, working primarily out of Belen, New Mexico. In 1977, Williams became a member of the BLET in Belen, and remained with the union for more than 40 years.
He served as local chairman of Division 446 from 1995-1996. In 1996, he was elected vice general chairman of the BLET's BNSF (formerly AT&SF) General Committee of Adjustment, and was elected general chairman in 2002. He was reelected at triennial meetings in 2005 and 2008. He did not seek reelection to a fourth term because of his pending retirement, which became effective in 2011.
In addition to his general chairman duties, Williams served the BLET's Western General Chairmen's Association in numerous elected offices throughout the years, including alternate secretary-treasurer, first vice chairman and chairman.
Williams is survived by his wife, Sherry; three children and two grandchildren. Services are pending.