Philip Torchio, former president of Williams Enterprises of Georgia and a prominent contributor to AISC’s Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges (ANSI/AISC 303), passed on January 21 at his home in Jasper, Ga. He was 73.
Torchio was born on February 1, 1949, in New York State. As a young child, he moved to Aiken, S.C., with his mother and his stepfather, Harold Fletcher, who was the headmaster at Aiken Preparatory Boarding School. He graduated high school in 1967 from the Canterbury School in New Milford, Conn., and then went on to graduate from Georgia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering in 1971. He started with Williams Enterprises in 1975 as an equipment manager and eventually became president before retiring in 2018, and he remained active on the company’s Board until his passing. Drawing on his natural engineering talent, he crafted creative plans for scores of large steel projects throughout the Southeast. He also became a certified welding instructor (CWI) in early 1973 and a senior certified welding instructor (SCWI) in 2002.
Torchio served as a member of the AISC Code of Standard Practice Committee, one of just a handful of people who provided a steel erector’s perspective to that group.
“Phil presented the erector’s perspective at NASCC: The Steel Conference on multiple occasions,” noted Tom Schlafly, AISC’s director of engineering and research. “He added ‘street cred’ toward the message that innovation, quality, and knowledge of the requirements were keys to successful projects.”
Torchio was also heavily involved in American Welding Society activities, serving as an AWS member from 1980 until his death. He was a member of the AWS Board of Directors of PEMCO (Publications, Exhibitions, Marketing Committee) from 1989 to 1990, served as a District 5 Director from 1985 to 1989, and received the Distinguished Member Award for outstanding service and commitment to AWS in 1988 and the District Meritorious Award in 1991.
He also joined the AWS D1 Committee on Structural Welding in 2009, serving as Task Group Co-Chair of D1TG6 (Prequalification), Subcommittee Chair of D1Q (D1.1, Steel), and a member of the D1TG5 (Stud Welding) Task Group and the D1H (D1.3, Sheet Steel) Subcommittee, and also contributed several articles to AWS’ Welding Journal.
Torchio was noted for his safety efforts, testifying on behalf of the Steel Erection Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee (SENRAC) in the 1990s to improve worker safety. He also aided in developing hexavalent chromium safety standards for small businesses in partnership with OSHA.
“An illuminating indication of his willingness to contribute to our industry was that after retiring as the president of William Erectors, Phil took the role of Chair of AWS D1Q,” noted Schlafly. “Jennifer Molin [program manager of standards development with AWS] and I solicited and used his advice often because it was always valuable and fun. Phil was always happy to discuss proposals, directions, and inquiries and try new ideas and different possible paths. He often brought new and valid perspectives, and we ended every discussion feeling we had moved forward and spent our time well.”
Outside of his professional career, Torchio was an avid woodworker and hunter and was involved for many years in Habitat for Humanity, both managing and building projects for those in need. His philanthropy extended into the Atlanta Charity Clays, where his sport-shooting skills were unmatched as he raised money for multiple charities. Throughout his life, he spent many summers in Upstate New York at a “camp” his family has owned since 1916, where he fished, boated, and hunted.
“Phil was also a man with an unusual breadth of talents,” continued Schlafly. “I once found him bending wood to make a Windsor chair. I also have a picture of him sailing a small boat on a lake in the Adirondacks. He was a hunter. He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. And I never even looked at a wine list when we were out to dinner together because Phil would make the best selection. He had expertise in subjects of interest to both the welders and the company executives, and he was comfortable sharing it with all of us. And he made us comfortable sharing what we knew with him.”
“I was lucky to work with Phil in the last few years of his career and keep in touch with him after he retired,” expressed Tim Duke, corporate quality control and risk manager with Williams Enterprises. “To hear him tell of old projects and problems and genius solutions was an honor, and I hope to remember at least 10% of the pearls he shared with me. He was an absolute giant, and I will miss him dearly.”
Torchio is survived by his wife of 46 years, Gail, daughter Angela, and son-in-law Nick.