William J. “Bill” Hicklin Jr. Memorial Award - 2024

Honoring a Legacy: ​Jim Painter
​Receives Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award

Elise Painter

At the 2024 FC & PA Annual Convention, the Florida masonry community came together to recognize one of its most beloved and respected figures. The Bill Hicklin Award, the highest honor given annually to a member of the concrete masonry industry, was presented posthumously to James “Jim” Fulmer Painter, a master craftsman, devoted mentor, and lifelong champion of masonry in Florida.

Although Jim was not with us to receive the award in person, his legacy was honored with reverence, gratitude, and admiration. His wife Elise Painter accepted the award on his behalf, sharing reflections that spoke to the heart of who Jim was, not only as a skilled mason but as a pillar of character and commitment.

Jim's story is one deeply rooted in the tradition of masonry. A third-generation brick mason, Jim came to Gainesville in 1957 with his father, who had taken a job working on Williamson Hall, the first of many projects the Painter family would contribute to on the University of Florida campus. From those early days, Jim would go on to build a career defined by excellence, integrity, and leadership.

Over the years, he became known not just for the quality of his work, but for the way he lifted others up—offering guidance to young apprentices, championing workforce development, and giving his time, company resources, and moral support to strengthen the entire industry.

Jim passed away at the age of 71 due to an unexpected complication following a courageous year-long battle with cancer. His absence was profoundly felt at this year’s gathering, but so too was his enduring presence in the lives and work of those he inspired.

The Bill Hicklin Award, named for the first president of the Florida Concrete & Products Association and a man equally dedicated to the advancement of concrete masonry, is reserved for individuals whose leadership and generosity elevate the entire profession. Jim Painter was such a person.

This award serves not only as a tribute to Jim’s lifelong dedication but also as a reminder that his influence lives on in every project he touched, every mason he mentored, and every corner of Florida where his legacy continues to rise—block by block.

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