Harold Edward Williamson

Beloved Father ~ Devoted Husband

December 26, 1918 ~ June 12, 2013

Born in Reynolds, Georgia to William Fuller Williamson and Eva Mae Jenkins, Harold epitomized the true spirit of what it meant to be a soldier and a gentleman. He served his country from 1938 to 1968 in the US Army, and after a brief retirement, with (Civil Service) at Ft. Gillem/Atlanta.

At 94, Harold was one of our few surviving WWII veterans. He loved motorcycles, and as a young soldier, was thrilled when the Army sent him from Ft. Benning, Ga. to train at the Indian Motorcycle Factory Service School in Springfield, Mass; 1941. Each afternoon, Harold and his buddies made a habit of stopping by the skating rink across the road from Indian, in hopes of meeting one of the cute gals in short (and I mean short) skating skirts. Harold got lucky when a petite French Canadian named Rita LaFlamme asked if she could see the “Indian” pin on his sweater. Harold pinned it on her. Rita informed him that if he wanted the pin returned, he must come see her. Harold did, and they were married ten days later.

Harold was called to Europe, and Rita was devastated to part so soon after marriage. Their first child was three years old before Harold got to hold her. Six more children were to follow; born at bases in South Carolina, Georgia, Germany and Kansas. Harold and Rita endured many trials and tribulations over those 30 years. They supported and were supported in kind by their military families.

Harold retired from military duty in 1968, Ft. Riley, Kansas. The family returned to Harold’s home state of Georgia, and he vowed to never again leave Rita’s side. He kept his promise, unwavering throughout her tragic prolonged illness with Alzheimers in later years, and with a depth of loving devotion so uncommon in our world today.

In addition to his roles as soldier, father and husband extraordinaire, Harold was also a master chef; schooled he claimed, in the kitchen of his mother and sisters. As a teenager, he had worked at “The Pig” (Bar-b-que) and Krystal Café in Macon. Harold could never refrain from “tweaking” Rita’s cooking. An excellent cook herself, Rita forgave her children for loving their Daddy’s cooking best, because she loved it too.

Soldiers away from home were often invited to share holiday feasts with the Williamsons. And many a relaxing weekend quickly turned into one more famous barbeque, when friends bearing bags of groceries would roust Harold and Rita from much needed Saturday morning slumber. This, despite strict orders from Harold to his insubordinate children “…not to answer the door on Saturday mornings!” Harold’s love for feeding people really good cooking always won the day. A large pit was dug in the back yard to hold cases of Coke, ice cold beer and watermelons; not a roasted pig. Once, an “unsavory” neighbor called the base police to report the pit being dug without post maintenance permission. When the MP‘s arrived, they were handed a beer and Harold’s famous bar-b-qued shish kebob. They also partook of his Brunswick stew, cracklin’ bread and grilled corn… REAL southern cooking, in Kansas. It was “all good”. Harold was cited for dangerously good bar-b-cue.

When insufferable winter storms froze engines of his Kansas neighbors’ cars, Harold could always be counted on to save the day with his incredible mechanic‘s skills. Time after time throughout the long, hard winter, he would risk precious minutes he needed to drive safely to work, so that he could help someone else get going, or make it out of a ditch. Harold was an expert at saving others from all sorts of ditches. He never reminded them he had done so if they forgot, but few did.

Harold always had a quick wit, quiet charm, and a handsome countenance. Those who met him in his late 80’s and recent 90’s marveled at his strength and energy. He remained as quick and sharp as in schoolboy days, when he wrote a strong warning in block letters across one of his readers, beneath his name, “THIS BOOK IS NOT AN ORPHAN, SO DO NOT TRY TO ADOPT IT.” He claimed his physical strength came from working out. Not at a gym. Simply, in boxers and T-shirt, on the living room floor, door flung wide to morning air, doing as many sit-ups and push-ups as he could endure. This continued long after his retirement.

Harold was an incredible dancer. Rita was too. He and Rita danced throughout their lifetime. Their children recall Harold moving furniture around in the living room so that he and Rita could dance jitterbug or shag to their records…at late hours of the night, long after they had arrived from a night out of more dancing. On Sundays, Harold took his oldest son and five daughters to the NCO Club for Sunday lunch buffet and dancing. That rhythm is in the Williamson genes, and will live on as his great-grand children demonstrated to him via Skype for Harold’s 94th birthday this past December.

The last New Year’s Eve, before Rita could no longer dance, she and Harold celebrated in Grand Rapids, Michigan at a dinner-dance. Their daughter had reserved a suite for them to retire to after dinner, but recalls that Harold and Rita remained on the dance floor long after midnight…dancing to the “Macarena”. What a sight, Rita with silver bun, sparkly blouse, and velvet slippers. Harold, in turtleneck, sport coat and wing-tips. How they loved to dance! They spun and spun, among glittering stars all around. At long last, Harold and Rita are dancing together again…among the glittering stars.

Harold is survived by his son, George A. Williamson of Stockbridge, his daughter Terri W. Elliott of Dahlonega, and daughter Candy L. Nelson of Anniston. He is also survived by nine grand-children and fourteen great-grand children. He was preceded in death by his forever love and wife of 64 years, Rita Louise (LaFlamme) Williamson, daughter Peggy M. Diaz-Colon, daughter Penny L. Williamson, daughter Sandy M. Williamson, and son “Rowdy” Mark E. Williamson. Harold was also preceded in death by his mother, Eva Mae Jenkins; father, William Fuller Williamson, and siblings; Leonard G. Williamson, Edith A. Williamson (Beckham), Clifford Williamson, Emmie Louise Williamson, and Emory Millard Williamson (Polly Driskell).

A funeral service with military honors will be conducted at the National Cemetery, Canton, Georgia at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2013. Harold and Rita’s ashes will be interred together at this time. All are invited to attend the service, and are requested to gather at the Columbarium shelter at least 15 minutes prior to 1:30 p.m. Service begins promptly at 1:30 p.m., no exceptions for delays. There will be no visitation nor additional services for Harold prior to this service. Arrangements are being handled by Woodstock Funeral Home, 8855 Main St., Woodstock.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Harold Williamson be made to Wounded Warriors at:

www.woundedwarriorproject.org