It is with great regret and sorrow that
we must notify you of the death of our
classmate, Bill Williamson, on November 9, 2023, in Richmond, VA as a result of
a fall in his home.
Bill is
survived by his wife, Kaye: his daughter, Deborah Dinkler and her husband Earl;
his daughter, Sandra Roberts and her husband Tom; his daughter, Laura Phillips
and her husband Scott; his son, Scott and his wife Mary Beth; and his son,
Timothy and his wife Nancy; his grandchildren, Ryan Roberts, Allison Roberts,,
Samantha Phillips, Sydney Phillips, Charles Williamson, Patrick Williamson,
Emily Williamson, Mather Williamson, Lily Williamson, and Jack Williamson; and
his great grandchildren, none yet, but Sophia Lynn Goodwin is expected in late
November. Bill was predeceased by his first wife, Bobbie.
A Celebration of Life service will be held from 3 to 5 pm on December 3, 2023 at Williamsburg Landing, 5700
Williamsburg Landing Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23185.
Funeral
services will be held at a future date.
Burial will be
at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.
Condolences may
be sent to Kaye at 3009 Tanglewood Cove, Williamsburg, VA 23185-3795.
In lieu of
flowers, the family requests that donations in Bill’s memory be sent to Disabled
American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or the USO, PO Box
96860, Washington, DC 20077.
Well done,
Bill. Be thou at peace.
Remembrances:
Class Memorial Pages\A-1 Bill Williamson.pdf
Obituaries:
Col. William R. "Bill" Williamson
Colonel William "Bill" R. Williamson, United States Army (Retired), 85, passed
away at the VCU Health Center in Richmond, VA on November 9, 2023, with his
family by his side. A true American hero, Bill was one of the most dedicated and
respected career Army Officers. He will be remembered as a loving husband and
devoted family man. Bill became quite the traveler in his retirement, often
visiting his children and grandchildren, and exploring the world, hand in hand
with his wife, Kaye.
Bill attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and was
commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry upon graduation in 1961. He
graduated from the Basic Infantry Officers Course, Airborne School, Pathfinder
School and Ranger School and was assigned to the 2nd Airborne Battle Group of
the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, NC where he served as an
Infantry Platoon Leader, Recon Platoon Leader and Headquarters and Headquarters
Company Commander. He subsequently was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 16th
Infantry Regiment in Vietnam where he served as the Battalion S-4 for four
months before assuming command of A Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry in
November of 1966. He remained in command until June of 1967 participating in the
major battles of Ap Gu (1 April 1967) and LZ X-Ray (17 June 1967). He went on to
command the 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry
Division at Fort Lewis, WA and the 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) at Fort
Myer, VA.
During his career, Bill was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Senior
Parachutists Badge, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Silver Star, two
Legion of Merit awards, two Bronze Stars for Valor, three Bronze Stars for
Meritorious Service, the Purple Heart, two Meritorious Service Medals and two
Air Medals.
Upon retirement in 1987, Bill became a manager with First Transit which is a
company that specializes in out-sourced management of public transit systems
throughout the United States and Canada. In 2000 he moved to Williamsburg, VA
and in 2001, and until his second retirement in 2012, he was a Region Vice
President for First Transit responsible for the oversight of multiple contracts
arrayed along the east coast of the United States from Manchester, NH to Mobile,
AL. While in this position, he was selected to receive the President's Award for
his significant contributions to First Transit. Bill was also actively involved
in the James City Lions Club, the Crown Colony Club and was a member of several
resident committees at Williamsburg Landing.
Bill was born in Williamsport, PA, and was preceded in death by his wife of 48
years, Bobbie. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Kaye Williamson of
Williamsburg, VA; Bill's daughters, Debbie and husband, Earl Dinkler, Sandie and
husband, Tom Roberts, Laurie and husband, Scott Phillips, and sons, Scott and
wife, Mary Beth Williamson, and Tim and wife, Nancy Williamson; as well as
Kaye's sons, Michael and wife, Karen Allen, Kevin and wife, Jill Allen and
niece, Sarah and husband, Mike Spata; family friend, Jennifer and husband, JR
Ryal; his brother, Don Williamson and wife, Joanne, as well as 14 grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 3,
2023 at Williamsburg Landing in Williamsburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family
requests that donations in Bill's memory be sent to Disabled American Veterans,
P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or the USO, PO Box 96860, Washington,
DC 20077. Arrangements by Weymouth Funeral Home.
Published by Daily Press on Nov. 19, 2023.
