James Russell Williamson III

Jimmy was born May 31, 1940, in Jackson, Mississippi. He was the son of the late James Russell Williamson, Jr. and Mary Earnestine Scott Williamson.

He graduated in 1958 from Provine High School in Jackson, Mississippi and attended Hinds Junior College. He served in the U.S. Army Mississippi National Guard 31st Aviation Company from 1958 to 1965. He worked as co-owner and manager of the Cotton Bowl Lanes in Jackson for many years. He owned the Honey Bucket in Jackson and worked as a sales representative for an aluminum company. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he supervised the construction of residential homes in Jackson and the Mississippi coast. Later he worked in the telecommunications industry as Site Acquisition Manager for American Tower and other telecommunication companies. In later years, Jimmy worked as a professional Landman for petroleum and natural gas companies.

Jimmy was inducted in the Radio Club of America, the oldest, most prestigious group of wireless communications professionals in the world. He was also a member of the The Loyal Order of Moose Lodge No. 1426 in Jackson, Mississippi.

In his spare time he attended sports car races in Sebring and Daytona, Florida; the Governor’s Race in Nassau, Bahamas; and Riverside, California. He was an avid football fan, loved to ride his Harley and collected stamps and coins. He loved the beach and spent much of his time in Gulfport, Biloxi and Pensacola, Florida fishing, boating, water skiing and enjoying life with his friends.

He is survived by his brother, David Ray Williamson, Sister-in-law Kathy L. Williamson and niece Laurel Kathryn Williamson; nephew Matthew David Williamson and Liesl, his wife. He is also survived by many friends whom he loved.

Friends may call, Sunday, March 17 from 3:00 to 4:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Home and Memorial Park at 1161 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ridgeland, MS for a memorial service. A celebration of Willy’s life will be held afterward from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at Shucker’s Oyster Bar at 116 Conestoga Road, Ridgeland, MS.

A memorial in remembrance of Jimmy’s life will be placed near the grave of his mother in the Mendenhall City Cemetery in Mendenhall, Mississippi. Jimmy’s ashes will be scattered near Sandshakers in Gulf Breeze, Florida.

Donations “in lieu of flowers” in Jimmy’s name may be made to: the American Heart Association, 4830 McWillie Circle, Jackson, MS 39206; the Radio Club of America, 13570 Grove Drive #302, Maple Grove, MN 55311 or the Mississippi Animal Rescue, 5221 Greenway Drive Exd, Jackson, MS 39204, on behalf of Jimmy’s long-time companion and favorite cat Sparky.