Florida is mourning the passing of a Gator great and former athletic director. Bill Carr has passed away, UF athletics announced Sunday.

Steve Spurrier was among those who remembered Carr. In 1966, Carr was a first-team All-American and All-SEC selection during Spurrier’s Heisman season.

“All of us Gators are saddened to hear about the passing of Bill Carr,” Spurrier said in a Florida release. “He was my roommate and starting center when I was quarterback, and went on to become athletic director at Florida. He is an all-time great Gator and tremendous friend to me and so many others.

“I was fortunate to see him just a couple of weeks ago and he was battling some health issues. He told me he was prepared to go to Heaven and when the Good Lord called his number he would be ready to go. His teammates called him Willie C and he loved his school and everyone around him. We loved him back and all of us have so many wonderful memories of Bill.”

In the 1970s, Carr returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant. He became UF’s athletic director in 1979, serving until 1986. Carr stepped away from sports administration after his time as UF athletic director but returned to the role in the 1990s as AD at Houston (1993-97).

Carr turned 78 in November.