William Randolph Williamson

William Randolph Williamson “Ron” October 3, 1941 - November 22, 2024 Peacefully and surrounded by his family, Ron Williamson passed away on November 22, 2024, at the age of 83. Ron was born in Tallulah, Louisiana in 1941 to Homer and Ruth. He was the oldest of four children. As a child, the family moved to Mobile County, Alabama where he grew up in a small town and attended CF Vigor High School. After school, he married a lovely lady named Pat, with whom he shared three children, Terri, Randy and Debra Kay. During his marriage, he joined the Navy where he served and protected our country for six years. After receiving an Honorable discharge from the Navy, Ron solely focused on work and family. Later, his life led him down a different path. In 1969, he met the woman he would spend the rest of his life with, Linda. She was raising three children of her own, Jimmy, Jamie and Michelle. On many occasions throughout the beginning years, they had the similarity of the Brady Bunch family going on in their home, yours and mine then “ours” five years later. It was in 1976 when Ron and Linda had a child between them, Deanna. Ron was a hard worker. From a very young age, he was bagging groceries at the local store, pumping gas at the corner store, skate guard at the roller rink, serving our country in the Navy, learning many trades at Bender Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama and much more. Ron was interested in welding and became self-taught. He went on to become a Boilermaker and one of the best Heliarc welders around. He was part of local #374 in Indiana and local #112 in Mobile, Alabama. Ron traveled a lot with work and was able to provide a great life for his family. He worked in that trade for 38 years before retiring in 2000. Upon retirement, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and making memories with family. Some honorable moments of his life other than being a husband and a father is when he became a Master Mason and a Shriner. He was a member of the American Legion in Eight Mile, Alabama. He also served as the Chaplain and as Senior Vice Commander of the VFW Post 7320 in Saraland, Alabama for several years. To sum it up, Ron was a true hero and a proud Veteran. His commitment and bravery to protect and serve for our country was just a small part of the amazing man he was. He was a loving son, a devoted and providing husband, a super cool Dad, a comical Pa-Paw and a genuine friend who was full of purpose, compassion and strength. Above all else, he had a personal relationship with Jesus. Though he is gone from our sight, his spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those he loved. His family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the loving staff at The Retreat, Hospice by Saads in Mobile, Alabama for their compassion, excellent care, respect and comfort they provided to him and to all of us in his final days. We are forever grateful. You made this difficult time much easier. Ron was predeceased by: his father, Homer; his mother, Ruth; his stepfather, JP Gibson; his brother, Bob; his sister, Lona; his daughter, Terri; his daughter, Jamie; and his son, Jimmy. He lives on through his beautiful wife, Linda. His sister, Jean and her husband Alton. His children William “Randy” Williamson and wife Regina of Eight Mile, Alabama; Debra Kay Williamson and husband Bo of Eight Mile, Alabama; Deanna Andel and husband Chris of West Columbia, Texas; and Michelle Rose of Eugene, Oregon. His Grandchildren Krystal Brauer-Woodworth and husband Nathan of Phoenix, Arizona; Savannah Thrasher and husband Tristen of Saraland, Alabama; CJ Long and wife Bayleigh of Fairhope, Alabama; Josh Gray of Eight Mile, Alabama; Arica Williamson of Orlando, Florida; Aron Van Hyning of California; and Michael Neumann of Chicago, Illinois. His Great Grandchildren Scarlett Rose Brauer-Woodworth, Hunter Ryan Brauer-Woodworth, Ridge Pierce Brauer-Woodworth, Shye Fox Brauer-Woodworth, Miro Hopper Brauer-Woodworth, Sedona Dahlia Tahj Brauer-Woodworth; Kyler Damen Thrasher, Enzo Jayce Thrasher, Pierson Lloyd Thrasher; Kamryn Grace Long, Preslee Lorraine Long; and Zayleigh Gray. ________________________________ Special Words by those who loved him: • People always asked us how we managed a long marriage and we would always laugh and say, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I guess it did. You worked hard to provide a great life for our family and I am forever grateful for the 53 years of marriage we had. You recently said, “You’ll miss me when I’m gone.” And, I do! Love You ~Red (Linda) • Welcome Home, Dad. ~Jimmy • I’m heartbroken that you’re gone but thankful you’re at peace. I will definitely miss all of your smart-ass jokes and comments. It was always entertaining watching you respond to people without saying a word by just the look on your face or a thumbs up! I’ll carry your memory with me always, Pa-Paw. ~CJ • I’ve always had a huge respect for you, Ronnie. Taking on three kids that weren’t biologically yours wasn’t an easy task. My favorite memory as a kid was when you went to Radio Shack all on your own and bought me a 9-Volt transistor cube radio for my birthday and brought it home to me. Thank you for being my Dad! You did good. ~Michelle • We were so blessed to receive the love we did from our Grandparent & I will forever cherish & hold all of the memories in my heart for the rest of this lifetime. I love you Pa-Paw. John 14:1-3 ~Savannah • Would like people to know you were not only a honorable man, but a great father! ~ Randy • You were there to hold my hand when I entered this world; it was a blessing to be there to hold yours when you left this world. I love you Daddy. ~Debra Kay • Every time I would come over to help you do something at the house and I wasn’t doing it how you wanted it done exactly, you would always crack me up saying, “Well, I don’t care.” Knowing good and well, you definitely cared, lol! ~ Tristen • Pa-Paw was such a memorable part of my childhood. I used to love pretending to be him- sticking out my belly and tucking my tongue into my lip to mimic his stance, complete with his signature dip. I cherish the times I got to visit in adulthood, especially when I came out there for my wedding. Taking pictures with him in my dress, alongside my kids and soon-to-be husband, is a memory I’ll always hold dear. He always came off as such a stoic, no-nonsense type but I got to experience the softer parts of his heart which is something I deeply value. I’m so grateful for the moments we had. Rest easy, Pa-Paw—you’ll always be in my heart. ~Krystal • I feel honored to have known my Father-in-law. When I first met his daughter, and even now, I found certain sayings that she said to be hysterical and then after hanging out with him, I discovered that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. His facial expressions, sarcasm and what I call “Ron-isms” are truly one of a kind. We’ve made some great memories, had some awesome vacations and played a lot of card games together (Yep, it’s already your turn again, Ron). If I had to put the characteristic I liked best about him into words, I’d say it’s that he was unapologetically himself. Until next time, En-Ron (iykyk) ~Chris • Family is very important to me and I’m so glad that I am a part of yours. Making memories is what life’s all about and my favorite memory with you is dancing with you at my wedding. You really showed out with those moves. So glad we have the video to look back on. ~Bayleigh • You taught me the importance of hard work, honesty and always doing the right thing. You are my Hero, my friend and the best Dad a girl could have hoped for. I promise to honor you for all the years to come by sharing memories, your stories that you would tell (even though everyone heard them countless times) lol. And, I will be the rock that holds the family together. I’m so thankful for you and I will forever love you. See you later. ~Deanna

Tributes

William Randolph Williamson

October 3, 1941 - November 22, 2024