ATLANTA – Ben Williams, who spent many years in the pest control industry as a sales representative and later founded B&W Sales & Marketing, passed away Wednesday at age 79.
In 1972, Williams was hired by Tom Evans (recently retired CEO of Southern Mill Creek Products) as eastern regional sales manager for Velsicol. During his time at Velsicol, Williams helped with marketing of chlordane and also with the introduction of a wettable powder into an industry that was reliant on oil-based and emulsifiable concentrates.
“Ben’s unique characteristic of straight talk without offense was a trait that was his alone,” recalled Evans.
Williams left Velsicol to launch B&W Sales and Marketing, which represented several professional pest control product manufacturers, including Clorox. B&W Sales and Marketing was instrumental in the launch of Clorox’s Maxforce ant bait (which is now manufactured by Bayer). Prior to Maxforce, the industry was hesitant to bait, but that soon changed after Maxforce proved effective.
Williams also was a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean conflict.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Scott Williams. Survivors include wife, Catherine Williams of Villa Rica; daughter, Cynthia Williams of Villa Rica; brother and sister in-law, Earl and Jean Williams of Punta Gorda, Florida; and grandson, Christopher Williams of Villa Rica.
Memorial Services will be conducted Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 11:00 a.m., from the Chapel of Jones-Wynn Funeral Home in Villa Rica with Celebrant Glenn P. Gilmore officiating. The family will receive friends at Jones-Wynn Funeral Home on Saturday, May 17, 2008 from 10:00 a.m., until the service hour. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.jones-wynn.com. Jones-Wynn Funeral Home of Villa Rica is in charge of arrangements.