Chilton executive found dead

Benjamin Robert Williamson Jr., a senior executive with Chilton Investment Co., died unexpectedly Sunday, April 22 while visiting relatives in North Carolina. Williamson was 55.

Williamson was managing director and portfolio manager of hedged U.S. equities at Chilton, whose CEO Richard Chilton Jr. is among Fairfield County”™s wealthiest residents with Forbes estimating his net worth at $1.1 billion.

“Robert was a dear friend, and he will be missed,” Chilton Jr. stated in a release. “His curiosity, enthusiasm, intellect, and passion for stock picking were gifts he shared with all who knew him.  We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family at this extremely sad time.”

Before joining Chilton, Williamson was a founding partner of Williamson McAree Investment Partners L.L.C., a New York City-based hedge fund he started with Edward McAree.

Prior, Williamson worked for Tiger Management L.L.C. and was a nephew of founder Julian Robertson Jr., who built his hedge fund into an industry legend as a training ground for a generation of hedge fund managers.

Williamson was a graduate of University of North Carolina and got his MBA at Wake Forest University.

According to multiple reports, police gave no immediate information as to the cause of Williamson”™s death except to say no foul play was involved. Authorities found Williamson”™s car submerged off a boat ramp on Figure Eight Island, N.C., a private enclave where Williamson”™s mother lives with husband Zack Bacon Jr. His billionaire son Louis Bacon is the founder of Moore Capital Management, a New York City-based hedge fund.