Mark Ferris Williamson

MARK FERRIS WILLIAMSON, age 55, of Sugar Land, Texas, died Tuesday, January 21, 2014, following a three-year battle with colon cancer. Mark lived a life of selfless service, exhibited by his chosen profession as a firefighter and the testimony of many friends and family who shared stories of "you took care of me when..."

Born in Bellaire, Texas, to Jesse and Earline Williamson, Mark attended First Baptist Bellaire, where he learned of faith, accepted Christ, volunteered with the youth group, and later married his wife. He took these early lessons from the church to heart, living his life by the words of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Mark retired in October 2013 after 28 years of service with the Houston Fire Department (HFD), where he drove the ladder truck at Station 28 on Chimney Rock. Prior to his time with HFD, Mark worked at Southwest Mower for nine years, where he shared his knack for fixing motors and helping others.

He loved to cook, especially BBQ, and he was an avid fisherman, outdoorsman, and hunter who loved to share these hobbies with his friends and family. Mark volunteered with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo for nine years, serving on the safety committee, transportation committee, and World Championship BBQ committee.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Carin; daughter and son, Blair and Blake; mother, Earline Williamson; brother, Paul Williamson; brother-in-law, Chip Craig and wife, Carla; sister-in-law, Carleen Craig; nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; and many others who love him. He was preceded in death by his father, Jesse Williamson; and his fishing buddy, Uncle Randy Schaefer.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 23, 2014 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at The Settegast-Kopf Co. @ Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land (Williams Trace Exit). Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 24, 2014, at Sugar Creek Baptist Church, 13333 Southwest Freeway, in Sugar Land. Interment will follow at Brookside Memorial Park in Houston, and a BBQ reception will follow at The Greer & Lowdermilk Conference Center, 4225 Interwood North Parkway, in Houston. Memorials in Mark’s honor may be made to the Dennis W. Holder Scholarship Fund at www.holderscholarship.org, or to Coastal Conservation Association Texas at ccatexas.org.