Gerald (Jerry) Lee Williamson

Gerald Lee Williamson (Jerry) age 88, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 25, 2021. He was born on April 16, 1933, in Fostoria, Ohio. He was the son of the late William J. Williamson and Opal C. Johnson Williamson.

He enjoyed golfing, bowling, playing country music and was a life-long student, but mostly, he loved spending time with friends and family. He proudly worked for IBM for 35 years, following his service in the US Army during the Korean War. After several moves—Toledo, OH; Endicott, NY; then Indianapolis and West Lafayette, IN with his growing family—he built a home in Raleigh in 1973 and claimed he would never relocate again. He instantly became a NCSU Wolfpack fan, and his home on Bremerton Court was constantly bustling with family and friends for 47 years.

He and his wife, lovingly known as “Mama Trudy” created memories there that loved ones will forever remember: the smell of delicious bountiful meals the moment you walked in the door, stacks upon stacks of books in Papa’s study, playing live music or cards until dawn, lively discussions, the clang of “a ringer” from the horse shoe pit, family campouts in the woods, hot ham biscuits on Christmas morning after Midnight Mass at St. Francis, the squeak of well-worn porch swings, the Annual Thanksgiving “Turkey Bowl” Football game, Easter Egg Hunts and Fourth of July Games in the yard that he diligently kept “game ready.” The light was always on at their gracious “Yellow House”. We will forever cherish the lessons that he shared with all who loved him.

He spent his last year at Jordan Oaks Independent Living in Cary, NC. There, he was surrounded by a loving community of caring staff and true blue friends, for which his family will always be deeply grateful.

Jerry is preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude A. Whited Williamson; son, Stephen Lee Williamson; grandson, Leighton Williamson Hubbell; brothers, Donald (Donny), William Jr. (Bill), and Robert (Bob) Williamson; and sister, Virginia Williamson Combs.

He is survived by his children, Gerald L. Williamson Jr., Jeffrey Williamson, Timothy Williamson, Trudie Williamson, and Sheila Williamson Parrillo; sons in-law, Kenneth Hubbell and Scott Parrillo; daughters in-law, Judy Peralta Williamson and Connie Williamson; his grandchildren, Alexandra, Matthew, Isaac, Darby, Michael, Ava and Scott; his great-granddaughter, Love Ivy; and his sisters, Maryland Williamson Elarton and Judy Williamson Beans.

Services will be planned for a later date to accommodate a gathering to include family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cathedral School, 204 Hillsborough St. Raleigh, NC 27603.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory, 300 Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownwynneraleigh.com for the Williamson family.