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Kevin Wayne Williamson
Austin – Austin’s pioneering and beloved chef, entrepreneur, and restaurateur – left us on Friday, November 26th, 2021 at the age of 59. Kevin built and transformed the Austin skyline as a caterer, business owner, and attorney for South Texas cuisine. His deeply unique approach to service and hospitality were by-products of his unique tenacity, born and raised from the legacy of love and the southern roots of his larger-than-life parents, Dr. and Mrs. Gary Williamson, Austin residents, who were married for 54 years. He was born on July 2, 1962 in Heber Springs, Arkansas.
Kevin graduated from Austin High School in 1981 and studied business administration from Southern Methodist University. After a career in real estate and finance in La Jolla, California and New York City, a vacation in Aspen, Colorado turned into a stint at the prestigious Ajax Tavern, where Kevin earned his restaurant training. He moved to Austin to bring the original Central Market kitchen concept to market and his first restaurant, Ella’s (named for his maternal grandmother) opened in 1998, and Kevin opened Ranch 616 in downtown Austin in 1999 ( 616 Nueces), a South Texas Icehouse concept that combines the Texas Gulf Coast and Mexican culinary influences.
Born from Williamson’s happiest memories of hunting, fishing, and outdoor cooking in South Texas, the menu includes both fresh golf fish and his mother’s famous cookie recipe, housed in a setting like no other – fire pit and stuffed living room – a place for family and friends to enjoy. where everyone from celebrities to schoolmates is welcome. His ventures grew to include the Star Bar and a live music venue (both next door) with the Rattle Inn opening in 2012, and Ranch 616 is said to have generated $ 20 million in sales over two decades. Long-time employees remember dragging boxes of Topo Chico – the main ingredient – from the local Fiesta stores before it was taken over (and now delivered) by Coca-Cola. Kevin and Ranch 616 have won numerous awards including Southern Living Awards from “Best in South” magazine. His uncompromising approach to feel-good classics such as deep-fried oysters on the Gulf Coast and infamous frito cakes that are served at the most dazzling gigs were just a glimpse of his culinary rules.
Kevin has also supported and served in many capacities to give back to his community and hometown that he loved so much. He was spokesman for the Texas Beef Council, president of the Texas Restaurant Association, president of the Saveur Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival, and served at both Aspen and Nantucket Food and Wine Festivals for 20 years. He has been happy to support the Coastal Conservation Association, the Austin Contemporary Museum of Art, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the March of Dimes, the Austin Film Festival, and the ACL Music Festival. He traveled as far as China and New Zealand to teach the art of meat science on behalf of Texas A&M University and supported the Texas Agriculture Commission’s Gulf Oyster Program. He loved spontaneous weekend trips to various hot spots as well as West Texas – Marfa – his second home, where he hosted celebrations with The Texas Legends & Wildcatters Outlaws (Texas’ famous party cohorts of the Aspen Food Festival).
Kevin lived his life as a hospitality professional – from his remarkable ability to make everyone around him feel loved, to reminding each person that they are welcome in his restaurants, to a strength for those who that might otherwise go unnoticed – Kevin was a fighter in every way. He had a deep sense of home and helped others to feel at home, no matter which continent he was traveling to. He loved cocktails !, laughed, shared and lived every moment of life to the fullest. He commanded this contagious spirit to others and reminded his friends and clients to be present and leave their worries at the door. Kevin was also a justice advocate. He viewed everyone as having equal and valued dignity, strong work ethic, and good manners. He sought grace from all and with years of patience and sincere receptivity, he focused attentively on each person he met.
He is the oldest child of Dr. Gary and Jacqueline (“Jackie”) Williamson and is survived by his mother Jackie Williamson, 83, from Austin, beloved daughter Channing Wakeman, 36, from Austin, and husband Micah Wakeman, 36. , five grandchildren: Tobias Martinez (15), Camille Martinez (13), Camden Martinez (11), Juliette Wakeman (8), Micah Wakeman (3), (all from Austin), sisters Lezlie Williamson Glade (56) from Austin and Jennifer Williamson Lucchese, 54, of Raleigh, NC, and her husband Sam Lucchese, III; Niece Grayson Glade, 27, from Austin; Twin nieces Jacqueline & Helena Glade (25) of Austin; Nephews Sam Lucchese IV (20) and Talley Lucchese (21) both from Raleigh, NC … and his best friend dog Showman. Kevin made his friends his family and a few of those special Guardian Angels we’d like to thank: Pamela Gillespie Blanton, Caleb Campaigne, and his esteemed hospice nurse Mary Randon, quoted as saying, “I’m just the robin to this Batman. ” On behalf of everyone he has touched, thank you to all of his staff and crew for years of dedicated service and for all that you have given to the Williamson and Ranch 616 families. The Williamson family is accepting donations to the Austin Film Society and Marfa Public Radio in lieu of flowers. https://www.austinfilm.org/donate-to-afs/ https://marfapublicradio.org/donate/
Kevin’s celebration of life is slated for the start of the New Year in 2022, along with the grand reopening of Ranch 616 restaurant, to be announced. Follow @ ranch616.
Published online December 03, 2021
Published in Austin American Statesman
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https://www.statesman.com/obituaries/p0169730
