Herschel Williamson

Herschel Williamson, age 95, of Merit, passed away in the early evening hours of Friday, July 10, 2009 at his home. Herschel was born on November 12, 1913 in Chisholm, Kaufman County, Texas, to Sylvester and Eva Marie (Harrell) Williamson, they precede him in death. Upon graduation from high school, Mr. Williamson joined the United States Army. On February 27, 1935, he married Edith Irene Cottingham and together had two children; she also precedes him in death. As a young man, Herschel farmed in and around Terrell and was the caretaker of Club Lake in Terrell. In 1940 he moved his family to Dallas to go to work at the Ford Plant and during WWII he took on a job at North American where he built airplanes to support the war effort. Finally he took a job in the construction business with N. L. Schutte Foundation Drilling Company where he worked for 40 years, beginning first as a laborer and progressing as a drilling truck and dragline operator, field superintendent, and retiring as vice president of the company. Herschel was a member of the Alexander C. Garrett Masonic Lodge No. 1216 for over 60 years and a member of the First Baptist Church at Merit. He was a proud American and a family man who never turned his back on a days work and will be missed by all who had the privilege of calling him dad, grandpa, brother, and friend. Survivors include one daughter, Carole Foley, and husband Sam, of Merit; one son, Eugene Williamson, and wife Jodi, of McKinney; one brother, J.W. Williamson of Terrell; one sister, Sophia Stroman of Dallas; grandsons, Wayne Marmon of Phoenix, Keith Marmon of El Paso, Gregory Richie, and wife Terri, of Orlando, FL, Casey Williamson, and wife Jennifer, of Jonesborro, GA, Jimmy Foley of Merit, and Ronnie Foley, and wife Vickie, of Merit; granddaughters, Paige Nieva, and husband Paul, of Jonesboro, GA, Lisa Duley, and husband Rob, of El Paso, Lorna Waldrip, and husband Kevin, of Belton, TX, and Taylor Williamson of McKinney; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his wife; three sisters, Josephine Williamson, Aline Wooldridge, and Pauline Goggans; three brothers, Donald Williamson, Haskel Williamson, and Jack Williamson; and one grandson, Steven K. Nelson. Services for Herschel Williamson will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at Merit Baptist Church with Pastor David Hawkins officiating. Burial will follow at Merit Cemetery with Wayne Marmon, Jimmy Foley, Ronnie Foley, Gregory Richie, Ronny Runner, and Paul Williamson serving as pallbearers and Randy Whitsell as honorary pallbearer. Visitation will be held from 6 " 8 P.M., Tuesday evening at Peters Funeral Home in Greenville.