| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 162, 285.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 15 Jun 2006.
Williamson seeks re-election to CLB
COSBY--Bill Williamson would like to continue contributing to the county as he has for the past 16 years. It appears he will be able to do so.
Williamson has represented District 5, Post 2 on the County Legislative Body for the past 16 years. He will be unopposed on the ballot in the August 2 election.
"I would like to see more industry and good-paying jobs come to the county," Williamson said Tuesday afternoon. "I would also like to see the sewer lines extended in the Cosby area. But I am definitely not in favor of any new taxes." Williamson said he is grateful for all the support he has received from the voters the past four elections. "I sure would appreciate their support again, even though I am unopposed." The veteran CLB member is proud of many accomplishments over the past 16 years. "I believe I was instrumental in the school building program," he said. "That's one of the things I am most proud of. It sounds like we are in need of another program, but that's not my area." Williamson is a member of Masonic Lodge 234, is a Scottish-Rite Mason and a Shriner. He and his wife Ruby, are members of Laurel Springs Christian Church. The couple will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on July 2. They have three children: Myra Lewis, who works at Newport Grammar School, Kathy McCarter, who is a librarian at Cocke County High School and son Randy who runs East Tennessee Car Center.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 21 May 2010.
Williams seek re-election to CLB
COSBY-Bill Williamson is seeking re-election to District 5, Post 2 on the Cocke County Legislative Body in the upcoming August election.
Williamson has 20 years of service on the CLB. He is a Cosby High School graduate and a World War II veteran, having served in the South Pacific.
During his 5 terms on the CLB, Williamson has served on every committee and currently is serving on the Finance and Landfill committees.
"I'm very proud of what we've done with the school building program and the convenience centers since I've been on the CLB," said Williamson. "And, we've had not tax increases in the county during the past six years.
"I'm proud to serve the people of the Fifth District and Cocke County. I always have the taxpayers in mind. I like to take care of the county's money, and I always return phone calls from my constituents."
Williamson said he sees jobs and roads as important issues during the next term.
"The important thing is to get jobs for Cocke County ... That's my main goal. We also need to work on improving our roads."
He said he looks forward to working with other CLB members and the next county mayor to continue improving the county.
Williamson is a 32nd Degree Mason in the Scottish Rite and also a Shriner in Lodge 234.
He has three children, Myra Lewis, who is a third-grade teacher at Newport Grammar School, Kathy McCarter, who librarian at Cocke County High School, and Randall Smithpeters, who is retired from the fire department.
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 16 Dec 2012.
(October 19, 1925 - December 16, 2012)
U.S. Veteran Bill Williamson, age 87, died Sunday morning, December 16, 2012, at his home. A United States Army veteran, he was stationed in the Philippines and New Guinea during World War II. He visited the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. as part of the Honor Air Program. Mr. Williamson was also a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of 234 F & AM, the Scottish Rite and Kerbela Temple. In addition to his military service Mr. Williamson served his local community by representing the Fifth District as a Cocke County commissioner from 1990 until his death. He served two terms as chairman of the Commission and was currently serving and Chairman of the Finance Committee. He was known as a responsible steward of the county funds. He also served on the Cocke County Board of Education from 1964 until 1970. He was recognized as a Friend to Education. He was honored by having Smoky Mountain Elementary School Gym and Addition named for him. He was a strong supporter of Cosby High School Sports. After retiring from American Enka he worked part-time at Stinnett Motors. Mr. Williamson was a member of Laurel Springs Christian Church and later attended Cosby Missionary Baptist Church. At the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park he was recognized as having been born in an area of Cocke County which would become a part of the park. He was the youngest of twelve children born to the late John and Elvira Williamson. Also preceding him in death was his wife of 61 years, Ruby McMahan Williamson. He is survived by two daughters, Myra Lewis and husband Mike, Kathy McCarter, and one son Randall Smithpeters, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He has one surviving sister Zelma Jenkins. Also, surviving are special friends Jimmy and Dorothy Williamson, and several nieces, nephews and many other family and friends. The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 6:45 pm Tuesday, December 18, 2012 in Manes Funeral Home Chapel. Masonic Service will be held at 6:45 pm, with funeral services at 7:00 pm, with Rev. Cleo Williamson and Dr. Charlie Boggan officiating. Burial will be held 11:00 am, Wednesday, December 19, 2012 in Union Cemetery.
Family and friends may sign the guest register on line at: www.manesfuneralhome.com.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 18 Dec 2012.
Funeral services tonight for CLB's Bill Williamson
Author: Duay O'Neil
COSBY-Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m. tonight in the chapel of Manes Funeral Home for Cocke County political leader and World War II veteran Bill Williamson.
Williamson died suddenly at his Cosby home Sunday at the age of 87. He was currently serving as one of two CLB members from Cosby's Fifth District, having first been elected to the position in 1990 as a Justice of the Peace.
During his tenure, Williamson served the group as chairman for two terms. At the time of his death, he chaired the Finance Committee and was known for his careful scrutiny regarding the spending of the county's money.
Upon hearing of Williamson’s death, Cocke County Mayor Vaughn Moore issued the following statement: “It’s a tragedy for our county, and I send our condolences to the family. I’m extremely appreciative of his service to the county. He was very faithful about attending meetings. He will be missed.”
One of thirteen children of John and Elvira (Smith) Williamson, he was the youngest of their family. An older sister, Zelma Jenkins of Cosby, is among his survivors.
The Williamsons lived in the Hen Wallow Falls area of Cosby on property later incorporated into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He began his education in the old Webb School and later entered Cosby High School, where he graduated in 1942.
He entered the United States Army on December 28, 1943, reporting for duty at Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia.
He was a Clerk General and earned his Sharpshooter status on March 2, 1944.
During World War II, he saw action in the Pacific Theatre and was stationed in the Philippines and New Guinea.
For his military service, Williamson received the World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal, two Bronze Stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal and Bronze Star, and the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.
He was honorably discharged from service on April 18, 1946.
He was thrilled to fly to Washington, D. C. in recent years to visit the World War II Memorial as part of the Honor Air Program.
He also regularly attended the annual Veterans Day program at Cosby Elementary School and enjoyed being recognized as a World War II veteran during the program.
After returning home from the war, Williamson eventually went to work for American Enka. Upon his retirement there, he worked part-time for Stinnett Motors.
His first foray into the Cocke County political arena came in 1964, when he became a member of the Cocke County Board of Education in September. He served in this position until January of 1972.
In recent years, the school board named the Smoky Mountain Elementary School gymnasium and addition in his honor. He will also be remembered as a strong supporter of the Cosby High School sports program.
In 2009, upon the 75th anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, he joined several other Cocke Countians who had been born in the area taken by the Park for an historic photo taken at the Park’s Cosby entrance.
A member of Laurel Springs Christian Church, Williamson more recently had attended the Cosby Missionary Baptist Church.
In addition to his sister, Williamson is survived by two daughters, Myra Lewis and Kathy McCarter, one son Randall Smithpeters, son-in-law Mike Lewis, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Manes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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