THE TAMPA TRIBUNE
JANUARY 22, 1992
Citrus baron William Ferguson Edwards died of lung cancer Tuesday morning at his home. He was 75.
Born in Tampa to a prominent Florida citrus family, Edwards' involvement in the industry began at age 3 when his photograph appeared on the "Billy Boy" label of fresh fruit packed by his father, L.C. Edwards.
He grew up in Tampa and graduated from Plant City High School. He attended the Virginia Military Institute and returned to Florida in 1936, moving to Dade City.
He became associated with the Pasco Packing Company, where his father and brother, L.C. Edwards Jr., were two of the original founders of the company.
During World War II, Edwards served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He returned to Dade City in 1945 to continue his career in citrus.
Rising steadily in the Pasco Packing Company, Edwards became executive vice president. He was instrumental in developing a quality improvement program for frozen concentrated orange juice in 1965.
When the company had been acquired by the Lykes family, he became president of Lykes Pasco Packing Co., a position he held from 1961 to 1974.
He eventually became vie chairman of the board.
"He was always very candid and fair in his treatment of people. That was his hallmark. You always knew where you stood with Bill Edwards. He was very quick on his feet and always prompt, and he expected the same thing from others."
Appointed by four different governors, Edwards served on the Florida Citrus Commission for six terms totalling 18 years.
Other positions he held include president of the Florida Canners' Association, vice president of the National Juice Products Association, a member of the Joint Citrus Industry Legislative Committee and vice chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission.
Like his father and brother, he was inducted into the Citrus Hall of Fame, making his the only family in Florida with three of its members so inducted. He received the honor in 1982.
Edwards was an avid football fan and Pasco High School's football stadium in Dade City bears his name.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Louise Henson Edwards; two daughters, Louise Edwards Roberts of Dade City and Mary Lynn Edwards Stanton of Vero Beach; and five grandchildren.