Rufus Alexander Williamson IV

Rufus Alexander Williamson IV departed this life peacefully on December 6, 2025, at Memorial Hospital at the age of 90. He was born in Lafayette, Georgia, on April 24, 1935, but lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for most of his life. He was a graduate of City High School and the University of Tennessee, where he was an active member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.

Rufus enjoyed a busy career as Executive Vice-President at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. Never one to sit still, his post-retirement years were just as full. He was an avid tennis player and world traveler. He was active in the local Republican Party and a proud member of the Pachyderm Club. His extensive genealogy studies expanded the Williamson family’s knowledge of their shared lineage and fostered the same interest in others who benefited from his research. Above all, he was a faithful member of the McFerrin Class at Brainerd United Methodist Church for over 50 years, where he maintained many close friendships throughout the course of his life.

Rufus was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Patricia Williamson, and his parents, Nita and Rufus A. Williamson III.

Rufus is survived by his wife, Marie Williamson; sister, Terry Scott; and brother, Warren Williamson (Debbie), along with four children, Lynn Ireland, Alex Williamson V, Kay Entrekin (John), and Roger Williamson (Karen), plus eleven grandchildren, Natalie Hostetler, Drew Kizziah, Savannah Mizell (Bill), Rebecca Entrekin, Ryan Williamson, Sam Williamson, Anna Williamson, Taylor Williamson, Jeremy Williamson, Ashley Prayter (Josh), and Clinton Manus (Liz). Other survivors include five stepchildren, Ralph Miller (Vivian), Michael Miller (Cora), Greg Miller (Connie), Barry Miller (Melanie), and Kathy Dake, their respective children and grandchildren, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at Chattanooga Funeral Home-East Chapel on Friday December 12, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will follow on Saturday December 13, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the same location. The committal service will take place at Brainerd United Methodist Church Cemetery, 4315 Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, TN, following the service.

Please share your thoughts and memories of Rufus at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Rd, East Ridge, TN 37412.