Stu Galley is an American developer of interactive fiction who was an Implementor at Infocom. He also served as corporate clerk from incorporation in 1979 to merging with Activision in 1986. He wrote three of Infocom's original interactive fiction titles, The Witness (1983), Seastalker (with Jim Lawrence, 1984) and Moonmist (with Jim Lawrence, 1986). As a result he joined the Mystery Writers of America by invitation.
He started writing professionally as a reporter and then editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper at Caltech, where he was a student. His reporting included interviews with both Linus Pauling and Richard Feynman at the times that they won Nobel prizes. He became a member of the honor societies Alpha Phi Gamma and Tau Beta Pi.
He started writing professionally as a reporter and then editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper at Caltech, where he was a student. His reporting included interviews with both Linus Pauling and Richard Feynman at the times that they won Nobel prizes. He became a member of the honor societies Alpha Phi Gamma and Tau Beta Pi.
Earl Guyton Williamson, Sr. (November 15, 1903 — December 9, 1992) was a prominent businessman and politician in northern Caddo Parish, Louisiana, from the 1930s until the 1970s. He was originally affiliated with the Long faction within his state's dominant Democratic Party and was a personal friend of both Huey Pierce Long, Jr., and Earl Kemp Long.
Early years, self-education, family
Earl Williamson was born in tiny Carthage in Leake County in central Mississippi, near the larger city of Kosciusko, to John and Mary Bertha Williamson. When his father died, Earl, went to work as a laborer to help support his mother and siblings. He was self-educated, even in the field of law. "He was always reading, studying, he was a great speaker and his English diction was perfect," recalled (born 1927), one of his seven children and the one who established a lengthy political career of his own. For a time, the attorney Jasper K. Smith (June 20, 1905 - May 18, 1992), a former Vivian mayor and member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, tutored Williamson and others in the law. Though Williamson never became a lawyer himself, his legal studies proved invaluable to him in the three political offices, two elected and one appointed, which he held.
On August 3, 1922, Williamson wed the former Mamie A. Greer (February 28, 1904-July 9, 1948). In addition to Don Williamson, they had three other sons: Earl G. Williamson, Jr. (born 1923), James Whitfield Williamson (June 12, 1925—November 15, 2008), and David Williamson (born 1930) of Orange, Florida, and a daughter, Velma Jean Williamson Bright (born 1932) of Longview, Texas. Williamson joined the United States Army Air Corps after World War I ended, and he learned to be a pilot. Thereafter, he and a brother-in-law, Joe Greer, entered the crop dusting business. After living for a time in Memphis, Tennessee, Williamson relocated his family to the town of Vivian north of Shreveport in far northwestern Louisiana, where there was a demand for crop dusting. Thereafter, he became the Chevrolet dealer in Vivian and successfully operated Williamson Motors for several decades.
During World War II, Williamson worked for a time at the ammunition plants in Minden, the seat of Webster Parish, and in Karnack, Texas. James Williamson recalled that his father drove a nine-passenger Chevrolet station wagon to and from the plant to provide transportation for other workers as well as himself. It was in part Williamson's way of supporting the war effort, James Williamson said. Don Williamson also noted that the dealership was losing money during World War II, and Earl Williamson had little choice but to work outside the business. James Williamson also recalled his father as a "humorous person who could tell jokes and draw crowds."
Revitalizing Vivian, Louisiana
After service on the Vivian Town Council, Williamson was elected mayor and served for twelve nonconsecutive years, 1938—1946 and 1962—1966. During his tenure, the town built its city hall, community center, swimming pool, and paved its streets. Early in his mayoral career, Williamson carried a gun for self-protection, for he had angered the criminal element by cleaning up rowdy conditions in certain Vivian bars. James Williamson, like his father, also served as Vivian mayor for nonconsecutive terms—between 1972 and 1986 and again for an interim period in 1998. James Williamson, like his father, was also a former alderman prior to his mayoral tenure.
Williamson served simultaneously in the part-time positions of Vivian mayor and the Caddo Parish Police Jury. The mayor's office paid a small salary, and the jury paid for per diem service when on official business. A court challenge clarified his right to hold both positions.
In 1962, Earl Williamson, still a police juror, regained the mayor's office for another term, but in 1966, he was defeated by fellow Democrat (later Republican) , a Vivian grocer and banker. Then when Wilson became state representative in 1972 as the successor to Don Williamson, James Williamson succeeded Wilson as mayor. In the 1975 primary, Don Williamson turned back Wilson's challenge to Williamson's own state Senate seat.
Don Williamson recalled his father's friendship with both Huey and Earl Long. Williamson, then no more than six years of age, said that he can recall Huey Long, with his entourage, driving into Vivian, picking up Don's father, Earl Williamson, and heading to the racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He remembers his father going with Earl Long to Long's "pea-patch farm" home in Winnfield. Earl Williamson always stayed in the (former) governor's mansion during the Long administrations whenever he visited Baton Rouge. After the shooting of Huey Long in 1935, Earl Williamson rushed to Baton Rouge to be a part of what turned out to have been the death vigil of his fallen friend and political ally. Williamson said that some of these recollections were refreshed by family political stories.
Don Williamson said that he did not share his father's commitment to Longism, that he was more independent and reform-minded than his father and tried to look at issues and candidates on their merits without regard to overreaching factional or partisan concerns. Still, Don Williamson said that he understood how his father and others of that generation were attracted to Longism with its promise of homestead exemptions and populist programs.
Earl Williamson supported the States' Rights Party presidential nominee, then South Carolina Governor Strom Thurmond, in 1948. Turmond was actually the official Democratic nominee in Louisiana. Don Williamson said that he believes his father voted for Barry M. Goldwater in the 1964 presidential election over the successful Democrat, Lyndon B. Johnson, but unlike other Caddo Parish Democrats, such as state Senator Jackson B. Davis, who served from 1956-1980, and Sheriff J. Howell Flournoy, who openly endorsed Goldwater, Wiliamson remained officially silent. And in 1992, Earl Williamson wore a button and carried a placard while in his wheelchair for the independent presidential candidate Ross Perot. Don Williamson also recalled that his father, unlike most Democrats, strongly opposed U.S. President Harry Truman's dismissal of General Douglas MacArthur from the U.S. Army command in the Korean War.
As regional highway director
In 1948, when Earl Long returned to the governorship after having decisively defeated former anti-Long Governor Sam Houston Jones of Lake Charles, Williamson was named the director of highways for the Fourth Congressional District. He was actually offered the state highway directorship, which would have required relocation to Baton Rouge, but instead accepted the Shreveport-based position because of Mrs. Williamson's declining health at the time. Williamson hence simultaneoulsy promoted state highway development through his appointed position as he did parish road building and grading through his part-time police jury duties. In 1952, when Earl Long was succeeded as governor by the anti-Long Robert F. Kennon of Minden, Williamson tendered his resignation as highway director to allow the new governor to choose his own appointee.
Running for Louisiana Public Service Commission
Also in 1948, Earl Williamson waged an unsuccessful race for the Louisiana Public Service Commission. He polled enough votes to enter the Democratic runoff primary but withdrew because he believed that he was too far behind the frontrunner, Shreveport attorney Harvey Broyles, to close the gap. Broyles was a nephew of former Longite Governor Oscar Kelly Allen of Winnfield. This particular north Louisiana-based PSC seat would be taken in 1954 by the Long-backed John Julian McKeithen, a young attorney from Columbia, the seat of Caldwell Parish, and the future governor (1964-1972). In 1963, Mayor and Police Juror Earl Williamson would work actively for McKeithen election as governor. Coincidentally, one of Don Williamson's Shreveport neighbors is a relative of Harvey Broyles.
A second family
After the first Mrs. Williamson died, Earl Williamson remarried. The second match to the former Mary Jane Hearne (September 12, 1926—March 26, 1992), also her second marriage, produced Earl Williamson's two younger sons. Tedford Fielden Williamson (born 1957), is a businessman and a former city council member in Round Rock, Texas, coincidentally located in populous Williamson County north of Austin. Clayton Lamar Williamson (born 1952) of Montgomery, Texas, in the Houston metro area, is a counselor and a former city manager of three small Texas communities. Both Tedford and Clayton Williamson share the interests of their father and half-brothers in government and politics.
With his second marriage, Earl Williamson switched membership from the Baptist Church to her preferred Methodist denomination. In addition to her homemaking duties, the second Mrs. Williamson was a school secretary and a McKeithen-appointed member of the Caddo Parish Levee Board.
Early years, self-education, family
Earl Williamson was born in tiny Carthage in Leake County in central Mississippi, near the larger city of Kosciusko, to John and Mary Bertha Williamson. When his father died, Earl, went to work as a laborer to help support his mother and siblings. He was self-educated, even in the field of law. "He was always reading, studying, he was a great speaker and his English diction was perfect," recalled (born 1927), one of his seven children and the one who established a lengthy political career of his own. For a time, the attorney Jasper K. Smith (June 20, 1905 - May 18, 1992), a former Vivian mayor and member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, tutored Williamson and others in the law. Though Williamson never became a lawyer himself, his legal studies proved invaluable to him in the three political offices, two elected and one appointed, which he held.
On August 3, 1922, Williamson wed the former Mamie A. Greer (February 28, 1904-July 9, 1948). In addition to Don Williamson, they had three other sons: Earl G. Williamson, Jr. (born 1923), James Whitfield Williamson (June 12, 1925—November 15, 2008), and David Williamson (born 1930) of Orange, Florida, and a daughter, Velma Jean Williamson Bright (born 1932) of Longview, Texas. Williamson joined the United States Army Air Corps after World War I ended, and he learned to be a pilot. Thereafter, he and a brother-in-law, Joe Greer, entered the crop dusting business. After living for a time in Memphis, Tennessee, Williamson relocated his family to the town of Vivian north of Shreveport in far northwestern Louisiana, where there was a demand for crop dusting. Thereafter, he became the Chevrolet dealer in Vivian and successfully operated Williamson Motors for several decades.
During World War II, Williamson worked for a time at the ammunition plants in Minden, the seat of Webster Parish, and in Karnack, Texas. James Williamson recalled that his father drove a nine-passenger Chevrolet station wagon to and from the plant to provide transportation for other workers as well as himself. It was in part Williamson's way of supporting the war effort, James Williamson said. Don Williamson also noted that the dealership was losing money during World War II, and Earl Williamson had little choice but to work outside the business. James Williamson also recalled his father as a "humorous person who could tell jokes and draw crowds."
Revitalizing Vivian, Louisiana
After service on the Vivian Town Council, Williamson was elected mayor and served for twelve nonconsecutive years, 1938—1946 and 1962—1966. During his tenure, the town built its city hall, community center, swimming pool, and paved its streets. Early in his mayoral career, Williamson carried a gun for self-protection, for he had angered the criminal element by cleaning up rowdy conditions in certain Vivian bars. James Williamson, like his father, also served as Vivian mayor for nonconsecutive terms—between 1972 and 1986 and again for an interim period in 1998. James Williamson, like his father, was also a former alderman prior to his mayoral tenure.
Williamson served simultaneously in the part-time positions of Vivian mayor and the Caddo Parish Police Jury. The mayor's office paid a small salary, and the jury paid for per diem service when on official business. A court challenge clarified his right to hold both positions.
In 1962, Earl Williamson, still a police juror, regained the mayor's office for another term, but in 1966, he was defeated by fellow Democrat (later Republican) , a Vivian grocer and banker. Then when Wilson became state representative in 1972 as the successor to Don Williamson, James Williamson succeeded Wilson as mayor. In the 1975 primary, Don Williamson turned back Wilson's challenge to Williamson's own state Senate seat.
Don Williamson recalled his father's friendship with both Huey and Earl Long. Williamson, then no more than six years of age, said that he can recall Huey Long, with his entourage, driving into Vivian, picking up Don's father, Earl Williamson, and heading to the racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He remembers his father going with Earl Long to Long's "pea-patch farm" home in Winnfield. Earl Williamson always stayed in the (former) governor's mansion during the Long administrations whenever he visited Baton Rouge. After the shooting of Huey Long in 1935, Earl Williamson rushed to Baton Rouge to be a part of what turned out to have been the death vigil of his fallen friend and political ally. Williamson said that some of these recollections were refreshed by family political stories.
Don Williamson said that he did not share his father's commitment to Longism, that he was more independent and reform-minded than his father and tried to look at issues and candidates on their merits without regard to overreaching factional or partisan concerns. Still, Don Williamson said that he understood how his father and others of that generation were attracted to Longism with its promise of homestead exemptions and populist programs.
Earl Williamson supported the States' Rights Party presidential nominee, then South Carolina Governor Strom Thurmond, in 1948. Turmond was actually the official Democratic nominee in Louisiana. Don Williamson said that he believes his father voted for Barry M. Goldwater in the 1964 presidential election over the successful Democrat, Lyndon B. Johnson, but unlike other Caddo Parish Democrats, such as state Senator Jackson B. Davis, who served from 1956-1980, and Sheriff J. Howell Flournoy, who openly endorsed Goldwater, Wiliamson remained officially silent. And in 1992, Earl Williamson wore a button and carried a placard while in his wheelchair for the independent presidential candidate Ross Perot. Don Williamson also recalled that his father, unlike most Democrats, strongly opposed U.S. President Harry Truman's dismissal of General Douglas MacArthur from the U.S. Army command in the Korean War.
As regional highway director
In 1948, when Earl Long returned to the governorship after having decisively defeated former anti-Long Governor Sam Houston Jones of Lake Charles, Williamson was named the director of highways for the Fourth Congressional District. He was actually offered the state highway directorship, which would have required relocation to Baton Rouge, but instead accepted the Shreveport-based position because of Mrs. Williamson's declining health at the time. Williamson hence simultaneoulsy promoted state highway development through his appointed position as he did parish road building and grading through his part-time police jury duties. In 1952, when Earl Long was succeeded as governor by the anti-Long Robert F. Kennon of Minden, Williamson tendered his resignation as highway director to allow the new governor to choose his own appointee.
Running for Louisiana Public Service Commission
Also in 1948, Earl Williamson waged an unsuccessful race for the Louisiana Public Service Commission. He polled enough votes to enter the Democratic runoff primary but withdrew because he believed that he was too far behind the frontrunner, Shreveport attorney Harvey Broyles, to close the gap. Broyles was a nephew of former Longite Governor Oscar Kelly Allen of Winnfield. This particular north Louisiana-based PSC seat would be taken in 1954 by the Long-backed John Julian McKeithen, a young attorney from Columbia, the seat of Caldwell Parish, and the future governor (1964-1972). In 1963, Mayor and Police Juror Earl Williamson would work actively for McKeithen election as governor. Coincidentally, one of Don Williamson's Shreveport neighbors is a relative of Harvey Broyles.
A second family
After the first Mrs. Williamson died, Earl Williamson remarried. The second match to the former Mary Jane Hearne (September 12, 1926—March 26, 1992), also her second marriage, produced Earl Williamson's two younger sons. Tedford Fielden Williamson (born 1957), is a businessman and a former city council member in Round Rock, Texas, coincidentally located in populous Williamson County north of Austin. Clayton Lamar Williamson (born 1952) of Montgomery, Texas, in the Houston metro area, is a counselor and a former city manager of three small Texas communities. Both Tedford and Clayton Williamson share the interests of their father and half-brothers in government and politics.
With his second marriage, Earl Williamson switched membership from the Baptist Church to her preferred Methodist denomination. In addition to her homemaking duties, the second Mrs. Williamson was a school secretary and a McKeithen-appointed member of the Caddo Parish Levee Board.
Tedford Fielden Williamson, known as Ted Williamson (born December 11, 1957), is a Texas businessman who is the scion of a politically connected family from North Louisiana and himself a former member of the Round Rock, Texas, City Council. Round Rock is located along Interstate 35 in Williamson County north of the state capital of Austin. Though municipal elections in Texas are all conducted on nonpartisan ballots, Williamson identifies himself as a Republican. Williamson County is majority Republican in recent political behavior. Williamson was elected to a partial term in November 2005 did not seek a full two-year term on the council in the elections held in May 2007, having cited business and family obligations which precluded his further service.
Early years, education, business
Williamson was born in the city of Shreveport in northern Caddo Parish and raised in Vivian in far northwestern Louisiana, to Earl Guyton Williamson, Sr. (1903-1992), and his second wife, the former Mary Jane Hearne (1926-1992). Earl Williamson was a Vivian businessman and local Democratic politician who served for forty years on the Caddo Parish Police Jury (now called the Caddo Parish Commission, the parish governing body), as a Vivian alderman, and for twelve years as mayor of Vivian. Earl Williamson was a strong supporter of the Louisiana Long dynasty. Mrs. Williamson, a Vivian native, was descended from pioneers for whom the city of Hearne, near Bryan-College Station is named. Ted Williamson, through his mother's lineage, is a distant cousin of the late Texas Governor John Bowden Connally, Jr. Mary Jane Williamson served on the Caddo Parish Levee Board under appointment from Governor John Julian McKeithen, another chief executive whom Earl Williamson worked to elect.
Tedford Fielden Williamson is named for former Mississippi Governor Fielding Wright, who was Strom Thurmond's vice-presidential choice on the States Rights Party. Earl Williamson was a Mississippi native and supported the Thurmond-Wright ticket, which was also the official Democratic slate in Louisiana in 1948.
Ted Williamson graduated in 1976 from North Caddo High School (formerly Vivian High School), where his mother was the school secretary. He studied building construction at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, then called "Northeast Louisiana University". He moved to Austin in 1983, after graduation from ULM, and was employed by Texas Industries. In 1985, he relocated to Round Rock. Subsequently, he became affiliated with businessmen Jack Wheeler and Charles (J.R.) Gregory in Ironhorse Concrete, LP., Limited Partnership based in Hutto.
Round Rock City Council
In May 2005, Williamson ran unsuccessfully for the Round Rock Council. When a vacancy occurred on the council some six months later, he ran in a special election and was victorious with 63 percent of the ballots.
Ted Williamson is divorced from the former Mary Jane Peters. He is the father of one son and two stepdaughters. He grew up in a Methodist home, but, like half-brothers James and Don, Williamson is Baptist.
Early years, education, business
Williamson was born in the city of Shreveport in northern Caddo Parish and raised in Vivian in far northwestern Louisiana, to Earl Guyton Williamson, Sr. (1903-1992), and his second wife, the former Mary Jane Hearne (1926-1992). Earl Williamson was a Vivian businessman and local Democratic politician who served for forty years on the Caddo Parish Police Jury (now called the Caddo Parish Commission, the parish governing body), as a Vivian alderman, and for twelve years as mayor of Vivian. Earl Williamson was a strong supporter of the Louisiana Long dynasty. Mrs. Williamson, a Vivian native, was descended from pioneers for whom the city of Hearne, near Bryan-College Station is named. Ted Williamson, through his mother's lineage, is a distant cousin of the late Texas Governor John Bowden Connally, Jr. Mary Jane Williamson served on the Caddo Parish Levee Board under appointment from Governor John Julian McKeithen, another chief executive whom Earl Williamson worked to elect.
Tedford Fielden Williamson is named for former Mississippi Governor Fielding Wright, who was Strom Thurmond's vice-presidential choice on the States Rights Party. Earl Williamson was a Mississippi native and supported the Thurmond-Wright ticket, which was also the official Democratic slate in Louisiana in 1948.
Ted Williamson graduated in 1976 from North Caddo High School (formerly Vivian High School), where his mother was the school secretary. He studied building construction at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, then called "Northeast Louisiana University". He moved to Austin in 1983, after graduation from ULM, and was employed by Texas Industries. In 1985, he relocated to Round Rock. Subsequently, he became affiliated with businessmen Jack Wheeler and Charles (J.R.) Gregory in Ironhorse Concrete, LP., Limited Partnership based in Hutto.
Round Rock City Council
In May 2005, Williamson ran unsuccessfully for the Round Rock Council. When a vacancy occurred on the council some six months later, he ran in a special election and was victorious with 63 percent of the ballots.
Ted Williamson is divorced from the former Mary Jane Peters. He is the father of one son and two stepdaughters. He grew up in a Methodist home, but, like half-brothers James and Don, Williamson is Baptist.
</ref> Following the ride's closure in May, the ride system was removed with Universal Studios Japan temporarily reopening the attraction as a walkthrough attraction for five days from July 18, 2009.
On September 14, 2009, the park announced a new indoor ride would open in 2010, replacing in E.T. Adventure. Although Universal Studios Japan did not announce full details of the attraction, they did state it would be space-themed and measure long. Less than one month later, the park announced their new ride's name would be Space Fantasy - The Ride. In December 2009, Universal Studios Japan stated the ride was scheduled to open on March 18, 2010. On March 18, 2010, Space Fantasy - The Ride officially opened to the public. Christina Warren of Mashable provided a review of the ride's special effects, describing them as incredible. Warren also stated she "can't wait for some of this technology to hit American theme parks".
In November 2011, Space Fantasy - The Ride received a Thea Award For Outstanding Achievement. The 18th Annual Thea Awards were presented by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and held at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAPPA) trade show in Orlando, Florida.
Although the ride did not receive a ranking in its debut year, Space Fantasy - The Ride ranked 91 out of 365 roller coasters featured in the worldwide Best Roller Coaster Poll. The Best Roller Coaster Poll is recognised by park owners and enthusiasts alike, due to its ranking algorithm which prevents the poll from being purely a popularity contest.
On September 14, 2009, the park announced a new indoor ride would open in 2010, replacing in E.T. Adventure. Although Universal Studios Japan did not announce full details of the attraction, they did state it would be space-themed and measure long. Less than one month later, the park announced their new ride's name would be Space Fantasy - The Ride. In December 2009, Universal Studios Japan stated the ride was scheduled to open on March 18, 2010. On March 18, 2010, Space Fantasy - The Ride officially opened to the public. Christina Warren of Mashable provided a review of the ride's special effects, describing them as incredible. Warren also stated she "can't wait for some of this technology to hit American theme parks".
In November 2011, Space Fantasy - The Ride received a Thea Award For Outstanding Achievement. The 18th Annual Thea Awards were presented by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and held at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAPPA) trade show in Orlando, Florida.
Although the ride did not receive a ranking in its debut year, Space Fantasy - The Ride ranked 91 out of 365 roller coasters featured in the worldwide Best Roller Coaster Poll. The Best Roller Coaster Poll is recognised by park owners and enthusiasts alike, due to its ranking algorithm which prevents the poll from being purely a popularity contest.