Bill Gay

This is an official historical leadership recall interview of W. W. (Bill) Gay, Past President of the Jacksonville Chapter of ASHRAE.

Would you give me a brief biographical sketch of your life? I was born in West Palm Beach, Florida. My father worked for the Seaboard Railroad; back then the railroad industry pretty much consisted of only Seaboard and Atlantic Coast Line. We moved a great deal, we lived in Gulf Hammock, Century, Ocala and Crystal River before moving to Jacksonville in 1938.

I graduated from Lee High School and started at The University of Florida in 1944. Before graduating I joined the Merchant Marines, but even with this two-year detour, I was able to graduate with a degree in education in 1949.

What attracted you to the HVAC industry? My first job during college was a timekeeper with Henley and Beckwith. At that time you needed someone to keep track of the field employees time and handle payroll, that was my first experience with contracting. All I can say is Mr. Beckwith was a great man and very influential in my life. He is really the reason I am in the HVAC business. After sixteen years with Henley and Beckwith, they combined their business with Tompkins and Beckwith, Inc., and closed their doors. That is what spurred me to start W. W. Gay Mechanical Contractor Inc. on September 1, 1962. I felt compelled to start on my own. The business was started at the same location we are at today (524 Stockton Street) - only we were much smaller. The entire business consisted of two rooms, two bathrooms and some great employees. Now our annual sales are over $100 million with many more offices and a great deal more outstanding employees.

What are your memories of ASHRAE? The Jacksonville Chapter was formed in 1957 - while I was still with Henley and Beckwith. I have many good friends that were involved in starting our chapter; too many to mention here and I would not want to leave anyone out.

Note: this interviewer noted many nicknames where used - one that I had not heard was "Pappy" Van Wagenen - this may bring back some memories to some of those original members.

The meetings were held at The Roosevelt Hotel and the social aspect of ASHRAE was emphasized. The original members really wanted to get people in the industry together to discuss problems and share information. I remember Jim Hammond and Burt Sayman, during the mid-sixties, pushing to start the student chapter at U of F. They traveled to Gainesville and were instrumental in starting this chapter.

We also started the Oyster Roast Social - it used to be held at The Outboard Club. Many of you may remember me winning the first oyster eating contest and SYA award….good memories.

What accomplishments are you he most proud of? If I had to pick only one item it would be the business itself and I truly feel we have the "Best Employees in the Business".

I am also very proud of receiving the 1983 ASHRAE Medal of Public Service and the God and Service Recognition Award (given by the Presbyterian Church and The Boy Scouts of America).

Many of the things I hold most dear are here in my office, pictures of family, friends and business associates. Many items have stories attached. One entire wall consists of Florida pecky cypress wood that was cut in 1862. During that time this was not considered a premium wood, in fact the logs were dumped into the Waccasassa River. My friend Tim Points pulled the logs out of the river and had it milled. The desk behind me is made from pine salvaged from a building that was remodeled in downtown Jacksonville (one block from Bay and Main Street) in 1987. I am surrounded by many great memories.

Bill Gay has been very influential in the development of ASHRAE and Jacksonville. Anyone who walks into the WW Gay lobby sees the remnants of his philanthropy and gets a small glimpse of the impact he has had on this community and his employees.

This site maintained by Bryan Pratt