Francis Edwin "Ted" Steinmeyer III

The Honorable Francis Edwin “Ted“ Steinmeyer, III died peacefully in Tallahassee, Florida on March 15, 2026 at the age of 94. His continuous optimism, joyful smile, and faithful spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. What follows are all the things that Ted accomplished in his life, but his greatest reward is that his family is following in his faithful footsteps and will be with him again in heaven. Born at Archibald Memorial Hospital in Thomasville, Georgia on February 14, 1932 to Francis Edwin Steinmeyer, Jr. and Marguerite Johnston Steinmeyer, Ted lived his entire life in Tallahassee. He graduated from Leon High School in 1949 and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Florida State University in 1953. At FSU, Ted served as president of his sophomore class followed by vice president of the student government association. He was an active member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, and Gold Key and Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honorary fraternities. In 1956, he earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Florida College of Law. There, he served as business manager of the University of Florida Law Review and as a member of the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. Ted received his commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force Reserve in June 1953. From 1956 to 1958, he served his country with honor, in Japan, in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He worked primarily as trial and defense counsel in special and general court martials. His home reflected his great love for his time spent in Japan where he displayed the many treasures he collected while there. In June 1958, Ted was appointed assistant US attorney for the Northern District of Florida and served in that role through January 1960. He performed extensive trial work in the United States District Court and appellate work in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ted worked as a research assistant to Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Elwyn Thomas from 1960 to 1961. It was here that he met his wife, Mary Ed Williamson, another Tallahassee native. They married in November 1961 and had two children, daughter Nancy and son, Ed. As a family, they enjoyed camping and traveling throughout the United States and Europe until Mary Ed’s death from leukemia in 1990. From 1961-1964, Ted was the first director of continuing legal education for the Florida Bar Association. In 1964, he entered private law practice with John Folsom and the firm Folsom & Steinmeyer was founded. Ted practiced general civil and trial law and specialized in eminent domain and property and commercial matters. He was appointed Leon County attorney in 1966 and served until 1989. Ted’s highest legal distinction was being appointed Circuit Judge by Governor Bob Martinez to fill a vacancy in the Second Judicial Circuit. He was invested on March 3, 1989 and honorably served until his retirement in December 2002. He was approved to be a senior judge, but wanted to enjoy his retirement with his second wife, Sally, whom he married in August 2000. Active in the community in his earlier years, Ted was a member of the Tallahassee Kiwanis Club and Trinity United Methodist Church. He was chair of the Official Board of Trinity United Methodist Church, chairman of its Board of Trustees, and chairman of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. In later years, he was a faithful member of Bible Journeys, a Sunday school class led by Dr. Gregg Alexander. Ted’s great love of the outdoors got him involved in scouting where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in high school. His love of scouting continued with his son, Ed, as Ted led Boy Scout Troop 109 for several years. He also served as Suwannee River Area Council vice president and district chairman of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1980, Ted’s extensive involvement in scouting earned him the Silver Beaver award, the highest honor in scouting nationally. Ted and Sally continued his love of the outdoors, traveling throughout North America in their motor coach and visiting numerous countries worldwide. They enjoyed hosting friends and family at their residences in Tallahassee, Sapphire, NC and Panama City. Sally cared for Ted faithfully and steadfastly and for that we are most grateful. Judge Steinmeyer was predeceased by his parents and his wife, Mary Ed Williamson. He is survived by his wife, Sally Hathorn, his two children from his first marriage, Nancy Steinmeyer Evans (Phil), Gainesville, FL, and Edwin Andrew Steinmeyer (Julie), Tallahassee, stepson, Chuck Unkle, Marianna, FL, grandchildren, Edwin Andrew Steinmeyer, Jr., Tallahassee, Mary Lynne Steinmeyer, New York, NY, Mollie Evans Peak (Drew) Franklin, TN, Basil Phillip Evans III, Clearwater, FL, his nieces and nephew, Beth Williamson Dyal (Steve), John David Williamson (Susan), Anne Marie Williamson Frazee (Chapin) Tallahassee and a wide circle of extended family and friends. Following a private family ceremony at his happy place outside of Calvary, Georgia, Mrs. Steinmeyer will receive visitors at her home, 6319 Count Fleet Trail in Tallahassee, on Sunday, March 29 from 4–6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to International Evangelical Association, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The family is very grateful to Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com), for their assistance with the arrangements and can be contacted for more information. Ashli McCall is honored to be serving the family.

Tributes

Francis Edwin "Ted" Steinmeyer III

February 14, 1932 - March 16, 2026