James Leslie Williamson

James Leslie Williamson, age 88, died on August 24, 2012 in Yucaipa, California. He is survived by his children, Sharon Becker, Carol Soto, Kevin Brooks, his adopted children Robert Williamson and Kathleen Nygard, and step daughter Susan Cross. He was preceded in death by his wife Jacqueline (Jackie) Williamson, his daughters Nancy Williamson and Karen Williamson, adopted son Thomas Williamson, and his parents Sylvia Mae Williamson and Louis Williamson. His legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Mr. Williamson, grew up in Los Angeles, California. He proudly served in the U.S. NAVY in WWII, serving stateside and overseas in the Aleutians, Marshall islands and Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific Asian theatre. He was a Coxswain, Petty Officer Third Class piloting a 50-foot marine landing craft (LCM)#81. After the war, he had a successful athletic career as a bicyclist, while working as a hod carrier to provide for his family. He competed in both road and track races throughout California and the U.S., winning the California Road Championship in 1948. One of his proudest achievements as a cyclist was being chosen to represent the U.S. vs a touring Japanese Olympic team. He and his cycling partner beat the Japanese Olympic team in 1952 in San Jose. He later went on to work at Pan Am Airlines at LAX -- his favorite job ever -- working in the Cargo area. An accomplished golfer, he volunteered and served for many years as worldwide President of Pan Am golf club, a golf club for employees to enjoy and share fellowship, and have fun. His favorite thing was teasing and playing pranks on his friends. Always more than happy to be silly and make people laugh; a cherished family trait, he would often dress in a golf outfit adorned with a grass skirt, just to make his fellow golfers laugh. His wife Jackie was born and raised in Hawaii and their time there was precious to him. He went on to work as a golf marshall at Pebble Beach golf course, and Spyglass, in Monterey, CA, PGA West in La Quinta, CA, and Casa Blanca in Mesquite, NV. Debilitating blindness stopped him from playing golf any longer in 2003, but he dreamed of it until the day he died. While under loving and supportive hospice care, he expressed satisfaction with his long and full life, telling family and friends for the weeks preceding his passing that his golfing friends were all there, had been playing golf with him, and that he wanted to and was ready to go with them to Hawaii to play in a tournament. He also spoke lovingly of being with Jackie, the true love of his life and with God.