| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 106, 285.
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 8 Mar 2007.
(April 9, 1925 - March 8, 2007)
U.S. Veteran Dee R. Williamson April 9, 1925 – March 8, 2007
Born April 9, 1925, in Cosby, Dee R. Williamson clearly recalled living in what became the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. At a young age he moved just outside the park perimeters with his family and many other displaced families. He still owns part of the family homestead which his family bought on Roostertown Road and has lived there in retirement. He was educated in local schools graduating from Cosby High School in 1943 and receiving his draft notice on graduation day. He served in the U.S. Army until the end of War World II under General George Patton and was in the Battle of the Bulge, earning the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and others. He returned home and enrolled at East Tennessee State College, graduating in 1950. His working career was spent with Carolina Power and Light Company as a load dispatcher and he retired in 1989 with 36 years service to that company. Hiking was a favorite activity, especially on trails in the Smokies.
Williamson, was predeceased by his parents, Oscar and Virgie Webb Williamson; brother, Carl H. Williamson and sister, Elora W. Powers. Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Fonda Freeman Williamson; daughters, Susanna Webb and husband Brad, Newport, Alice McClure and husband Steve, Candler, NC; son, Wendell J. Williamson, Raleigh, NC.; grandchildren, Lydia Laws, Brunswick, Maine, Ben McClure, Candler, NC., and Sarah Thomas, Newport; brothers, Edgar Williamson, Seymour, TN, Donald Williamson, Newport, and Kenneth Williamson, Birmingham, Alabama; and several nieces and nephews.
Williamson, was a member of the D.A.V, Purple Heart Association, Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Lake Junaluska, NC and a devoted member of the Company B. Reunion Group, 9th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division with which he served in wartime.
The family will receive friends from 7-9 pm, Saturday, March 10, 2007 at Manes Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Sunday, March 11, 2007 in Manes Funeral Home Chapel, with Alan Mears, and Olie Williamson officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery, with L/Cpl Charles C. Roberts DAV Chapter 102 conducting military rites. In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to L/Cpl Charles C Roberts DAV Chapter 102, 255 Midnight Way, Parrottsville TN 37843
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 11 Mar 2007.
D. R. Williamson, Park Native and WWII Veteran, Dies at 81
Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday in Manes Funeral Home Chapel for D. R. Williamson, 81, a highly-decorated World War II veteran, who died Thursday, March 8. Williamson was born April 9, 1925, in the Hen Wallow Falls community of Cosby in what would soon become part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a son of Oscar Williamson and his wife, the former Virgie Webb. Both of Williamson's parents descended from some of the earliest pioneers to settle in that section of Cocke County. At the time of Williamson's birth, his older siblings were students of David Ragan "D. R." Large, teacher at the community school, and thought so highly of him that they wanted to name the new baby after their professor. Because Large was known by his own initials, the Williamson family simply named their new son "D. R." After Williamson entered the military, he expanded his first initial to the name "Dee." When Williamson was about three years old, his family joined the exodus of dozens of others displaced by the formation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They purchased 40 acres in the Roostertown area, just across the road from the Park boundary. The property remains in the family's hands today. As a lad, Williamson attended Webb Springs School and later entered Cosby High School, where he graduated in 1943. World War II was at its height and Williamson received his draft notice on his high school graduation day. At the time, he was 18 years old. Before he turned 20, Williamson had served under General George Patton and had survived the infamous Battle of the Bulge. Shrapnel wounds landed him in a military hospital in England for four months. Among the many military decorations bestowed upon Williamson was the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, and Combat Infantry Badge. For many years, Williamson was a devoted member of Company B Reunion Group, 9th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division, the group with whom he served during wartime. Upon his return to the United States, Williamson entered East Tennessee State College (now University), where he majored in Social Studies. Initially he wanted to become a teacher, but instead, found employment with Carolina Power and Light Company as a load dispatcher. He retired from the company in 1989 with 36 years of service. For many years, the family resided in Clyde, NC. They returned to their native Cocke County following Williamson's retirement. Among his interests were traveling and hiking. He particularly enjoyed hiking the many trails in the Smokies. He also took a keen interest in the compilation and recording of the history of Upper Cosby, especially of its pre-Park days. This winter he enjoyed directing his wife's drawing of a map of the Hen Wallow Falls area and pinpointing the locations of the homes of the families who once resided there. Williamson was also a member of the DAV Purple Heart Association and of Long's Chapel United Methodist Church, Lake Junaluska, NC. In addition to his parents, Williamson was predeceased by a brother, Carl H. Williamson, and a sister, Elora Williamson Powers. His survivors include his wife of 48 years, Fonda Freeman Williamson; three children: Susanna Williamson Webb, Alice Williamson McClure; and Wendell J. Williamson; three grandchildren: Lydia Laws, Ben McClure, and Sarah Thomas; three brothers: Edgar, Donald, and Kenneth Williamson; and several nieces and nephews. Manes Funeral Home is in charge of services.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Name: Dee R Williamson
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Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 25 Aug 1958
Event Place: Cocke, Tennessee, United States
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Spouse's Name: Fonda Freeman
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GS Film number: 1669920
Digital Folder Number: 004485981
Image Number: 01587
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