Cruise industry mourns former Royal Caribbean/Celebrity leader Jack Williams

'Jack was a big-hearted guy who brought a smart industry outsider's point of view to the cruise industry,' said Philip Levine, co-executive chair, Four Seasons Yachts. 'He was open to everyone and pushed us all to support the very worthwhile cause of curing cystic fibrosis.'

Ultimately corporate president

Williams had a 23-year career at American Airlines before taking the Royal Caribbean helm in January 1997. He was named president and COO of both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises in 2001 then president of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in 2005 when the presidencies were again split, with Adam Goldstein taking over at Royal Caribbean International and Dan Hanrahan at Celebrity.

Shortly after, Williams left to devote more time to charitable causes.

On his departure, Chairman and CEO Richard Fain called him 'an exceptional leader and innovator' and a 'formidable force in the community.' He credited Williams with making 'lasting and significant contributions' to brand marketing, outreach to shipboard staff, revenue management systems, and safety and environmental practices, adding: 'He has helped put Celebrity on a world-class footing and has sharpened our charitable focus with events such as Shine On.'

Visionary with a strategic mind

Dietmar Wertanzl, who worked under Williams as SVP fleet operations and managing director Xpeditions, considered him a visionary.

'He was a leader with a strategic mind, always engaged and supportive of new ideas, and genuinely cared for each brand and their people,' said Wertanzl, currently president and CEO, CMI Leisure Management. 'He was also passionately involved in charitable causes, especially the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Andre Agassi Foundation.'

Friend and mentor

Williams drew fresh talent into the cruise industry, including Celebrity's Dondra Ritzenthaler, SVP sales & trade support and services, who came from American Airlines.

To Ritzenthaler, Williams was a 'fierce competitor, a great leader and friend to many of us in the cruise and airline business ... He was my mentor and taught me to believe in myself through easy and hard times. He enjoyed his last few years of his life in California with his family and friends. He will be missed but never forgotten.'

Williams graduated from San Diego State University with a communications degree and served as an associate professor for two years. He began his American Airlines career in San Diego in 1972 as an operations agent and worked his way up through many positions, ultimately becoming VP and general sales manager in 1990.

Raised millions for charity

Williams had long-term commitments to a number of charitable organizations, helping to raise millions of dollars. He served on the board of the Andre Agassi Foundation, which supported charitable causes in the Las Vegas area, and was an accomplished auctioneer at annual fund-raisers, including events for cystic fibrosis, Komen Foundation and the Michael Bolton Foundation for women and children at risk. In 1999, he was elected to the national board of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Williams also won many awards for his charity work, including the 'Breath of Life Award,' the highest honor bestowed on an individual by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the 'Joel McCrea Merit of Achievement Award' from the American Cinema Awards for his humanitarian efforts.

After leaving Royal Caribbean, Williams had a stint as CEO of Eos, a business-class-only carrier, starting in 2007.

Celebration of life

A celebration of life is planned in November in San Diego.