Former Jacksonville Board of Realtors President William F. “Fritz” Sheffield passed away earlier this month. He was 84.
Sheffield was a major developer through his company, William F. Sheffield Real estate Inc., particularly on Jacksonville’s Northside. He served as the Realtors’ president in 1976. The Jacksonville board later merged with other area boards to form NEFAR.
Sheffield also was active in Florida Association of Realtors affairs and served numerous terms on the Legislative Committee.
He won many awards, including NEFAR’s Presidential Lifetime Service Award in 2001. He also was named the association’s Humanitarian of the Year in 1997.
He is survived by his wife, Rose, and his family includes 18 great grandchildren.
He was born in Madison, Fla., and moved to Jacksonville in 1934.
Among his philanthropic efforts was establishing a real estate professorship at the University of North Florida. He also made significant other contributions to UNF and also to the University of Florida.