William E. Getzen

May 9, 1932 – July 18, 2023

Born in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Bill Getzen graduated valedictorian of his high school class. He attended the University of Illinois, where he earned a mechanical engineering degree, played for Illinois’ Big Ten Championship baseball team, and was president of his fraternity. After graduating college in 1954, Getzen attended law school at the University of Illinois, where his last 2 years were deferred so he could fulfill ROTC obligations at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Two law professors who previously taught at the University of Florida recognized Getzen’s legal acumen and recommended him to the attorneys at Williams Parker.

Getzen joined the firm after receiving his LL.B. in 1959. He was the first Northerner employed at Williams Parker, breaking a cultural glass ceiling. Such was the quality of Getzen’s legal work—mostly in complex real estate transactions—that the firm would change its name to Williams, Parker, Harrison, Dietz & Getzen in 1968, the last time the firm would add a partner’s name.

During his long legal career, Getzen specialized in real estate development and business law and was an expert on Florida’s condominium law. He was general counsel for, and later a director of, FCCI Insurance Group, one of Sarasota’s largest business enterprises. Possessing a confident personality and keen wit, Getzen was a natural leader, both within and outside the firm. He served many years on the firm’s Executive Committee, the precursor to today’s Management Committee.

Getzen and his wife, Ruth, were married 67 years and had three children. In 1976, the Getzen family hosted President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford at their home for 2 days while Ford campaigned for the Presidency. Later that year, the Getzens attended a State Dinner at the White House. Getzen served as Commodore of the Field Club, president of the Sarasota County Bar Association, and president of the Argus Foundation, which he helped found. In 2012, he received the Argus Lifetime Achievement Award. Getzen was a long-time member of Church of the Palms-Presbyterian.