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William R. Williamson
"Bill"
Company A-1
28 Aug 1938- 9 Nov 2023
Place of Death:
Richmond, VA
Interment:
Arlington National Cemetery
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 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 for Bill will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at
11:00 AM in the Old Post Chapel, Fort Myer, VA, followed by burial with full
military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Details for attending Bill Williamson's Funeral Service.
Bill Williamson's memorial service.
There will be a reception at the Fort Myer Club (Patton Hall) following the burial.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Ed Brown <edbrown61@verizon.net>
no later than 31 December.
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.
Taps Memorial Article:
William R. Williamson 1961
Cullum No. 23314-1961 | November
9, 2023 | Died in Richmond,
VA
Interment at Arlington National
Cemetery, Arlington, VA .
>
Colonel William
Richard “Bill” Williamson (U.S. Army, Retired) passed away
in Richmond, VA on November 9, 2023 with his family by his side. Bill was
born and grew up in Williamsport, PA. After graduating from Williamsport
High School, he went to Penn State for a year while seeking a competitive
appointment to West Point.
A true American hero, Bill was one of the
most dedicated and respected career Army officers. He will be remembered as
a loving family man. Bill became quite a traveler in his retirement, often
visiting his children and grandchildren and exploring, hand in hand, with
his wife Kaye. A classmate wrote in the West Point 1961 Howitzer yearbook:
“Wee Willie’s experiences at Penn State prepared him both in the field of
week-day academics and weekend socializing. With a willingness to coach
anyone in academic difficulty and a large capacity for administrative
details, he still had time left for a myriad of trips. The little extra time
left over was spent praying for snow. Willie’s success in the future is
virtually assured.”
As a cadet at West Point, Bill was in the
Debate Council and Forum, Russian Club, Astronomy Club, Model Railroad Club
and Sailing Club. Bill was active in the Ski Club, serving as a ski patrol
member, as a ski instructor, and finally as president of the Ski Club. He
was a Star Man his yearling and cow year. Bill graduated 33rd in the class
of 534 graduates.
Upon graduation, Bill was commissioned as
a second lieutenant in the Infantry. He graduated from the Infantry Officer
Basic 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 a battalion S-4 for four months before assuming
command of A Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment in November
1966. He remained in command until June 1967, participating in the major
battles of Ap Gu (April 1, 1967) and LZ X-Ray (June 17, 1967). He went on to
command the 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry
Division at Fort Lewis, WA. Bill was on the faculty of West Point for three
years and spent five years teaching at the Army War College. His final
assignment was as commander of the 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) at
Fort Myer, VA. This regiment is responsible for guarding the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier. During his career, Bill was awarded the Combat Infantryman
Badge, the Senior Parachutist 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 his retirement in 1987, Bill became
a manager and later regional vice president with First Transit. He retired
from his second career in 2012. Bill was actively involved in the James City
County Lions Club, the Crown Colony Club and was a member of several
resident committees at the Williamsburg Landing.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife of
48 years, Bobbie. He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Kaye Williamson of
Williamsburg, VA. Often hand in hand with his wife Kaye, they went on many
trips. On one trip to Russia, Bill said he never thought he would be in Red
Square unless he was in chains. Bill is survived by his daughters: Debbie
and her husband, Earl Dinker, Sandie and her husband, Tom Robert, and Laurie
and her husband, Scott Phillips; and his sons, Scott and his wife, Mary Beth
Williamson, and Tim and his wife, Nancy Williamson. He is also survived by
Kaye’s sons, Michael and wife, Karen Allen, and Kevin and his wife, Jill
Allen; his niece, Sarah and her husband, Michael Spata; his family friend,
Jennifer and her husband, JR Ryal; his brother, Don Williamson ’62 and his
wife, Joanne; and 14 grandchildren.
—
Kaye Williamson, with Assistance from Paul Palmer, Classmate
Ring Melt:
Ring Melts/William R. Williamson.pdf
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