Willard Francis Williamson

Will was born in Spokane, Washington in 1935 to parents George James Williamson and Magdalena Williamson (Holtznagel).

Will was a philosopher, a teacher, a traveler, a reader and someone who loved to laugh. He was an intellectual and a sports fan who got equal pleasure from Samuel Beckett and the Chicago Bulls. Will was outspoken about politics and someone who spent time, energy and money on social justice issues.

Above all else, he was an unconditionally loving husband, father and grandfather.

Will grew up in Spokane, Washington and attended Gonzaga Preparatory High School. He earned three Master’s Degrees, one in Political Science from the University of Southern California, and two from Gonzaga University in Theology and Philosophy. During his years as a graduate student, he taught many subjects including history and geometry, and he was also an enthusiastic high school basketball coach. He met his wife, Donna Byrne at Gonzaga University. He followed her to Illinois and they married in 1969 in Chicago where they raised their two daughters, Joy and Julie. For almost 30 years, Will was a professor of philosophy at Harper Community College in Palatine, Illinois. He and Donna retired to their home state of Washington in 1994.

He is preceded in death by his mother, father, step-father, Conrad Kilmer, and brother James Curtis Williamson. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, the treasure of his life, Donna, his daughters, Joy W and Julie, his sons-in-law Joe and Rich, his grandsons, Silas, Jabari and Jordan, his in-laws Patricia and Michael (Gwen) and Judy, and many beloved nieces and nephews.