John Williamson
by June 4, 2025 11:22 am 23 views
John Wayne Williamson was born August 13, 1937, in Fort Smith, Arkansas at Colonial Hospital on Dodson Avenue to John and Wanna Williamson. He passed away on May 30, 2025.
John worked at Ward’s Ice Cream in Fort Smith before moving his family to California in the late 1950’s, working five years as a plumber and electrician for a trailer factory. The family then returned to Fort Smith. He served as a captain with the Fort Smith Fire Department, where he worked for more than 20 years. John also worked as a painter and home builder, a cattle rancher, and he bred and raised racehorses.
John was a good man who never said “no” to his grandchildren. One of their favorite memories was swinging in the swings that Papa put out on the electric horse walker, where they rode round and round while Papa supervised.
He worked hard at everything he did. He rarely took a day off from work, even on holidays. He loved all his animals and he never wanted any of them to be hungry. This was quite evident by the weight of each cow in the last herd that he sold.
John was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Brenda Stephenson, and two brothers Monte Williamson and Garry Williamson.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Rose; his two sons, Mark Williamson, and David and Kristi Williamson; grandchildren Kallie and Adam Wood, Cale Williamson, Kourtney and Jeff Sexton, Colby Williamson and Amy Duvall, and Calynn Williamson and Marshall Jones; great-grandchildren, Brody, Barrett, Beaux Abigail, and Bellamy Wood, Scout Jones and Sundae Duvall; brothers, Bob Williamson and Rod Williamson; and sister Terry Prewett.
Visitation will be Wednesday June 4, 2025, from 5:00-7:00pm at Edwards Funeral Home, 201 N 12th St, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Funeral service will be Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 11:00am at Edwards Funeral Home. Following the service, John will be laid to rest in Roland City Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Colby Williamson, Adam Wood, Brody Wood, Jeff Sexton, Marshall Jones and Mike Castleberry.
Thank you, Dr. Charles Jennings, for your exceptional kindness and care of John.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the charity of one’s choice.