Ivan Elwood Williamson

Ivan (Tide) Elwood Williamson passed into the loving arms of our lord and savior in the early morning of June 11, 2018, after a brief illness. He was born in Leroy, Ill., on June 20, 1927, to Nolan Patrick and Susan Josephine Williamson. Ivan was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife of 60 years, Joyce (Strong) Williamson; an infant son, Gary Evan; a grandson, Samuel Robert Plant Jr.; two sisters, Doris Havice and Esther Hodgkins; and three brothers, Estol, Howard and Millard (Smitty) Williamson. He is survived by five daughters, Karen (Stephan) Carlson, Susie (Dallas) Slaven, Debbie (Ron) Richardson, Cindy (Michael) Strange, and Kathy (Barry) Miller; and 13 grandchildren, Amy Groce, Emily (David) Burnett, Mike Carlson, Kelli Plant, Rachel (Aaron) Jordan, Jason (Anjuli) Richardson, Jared (Laura) Richardson, Andrew (Ashley) Strange, Bryant Strange, Joshua Strange, Stephanie (John) Swann, and Michael (Amber) Miller. He was extremely proud of his 23 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and several special nieces and nephews. Upon graduation from Leroy High School, Ivan enlisted in the Navy. He served in World War II as a Seabee in the Pacific Theatre. After returning from serving our country, he worked for General Telephone Company for 42 years in installation and Repair. Ivan was commonly known as "The Telephone Man" He loved to go out to eat in hopes of catching up with an old friend, meeting a new friend or simply being with people in fellowship. Ivan also found enjoyment by "wetting a worm" (fishing), woodworking, gardening, spending time with family and friends, and watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. Ivan was an avid watcher of sports on TV, especially the St. Louis Cardinals, NASCAR and the Indianapolis 500. Additional interests included square dancing; he was a member of the Swinging Mates Square Dance Club from the 1960s through the 1970s. He was a former member of Maple Avenue United Methodist Church and a 40-year member of North Terre Haute Christian Church, where he served as deacon and elder. Services will be at Roselawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be Thursday, June 21, 2018, from 5 until 8 p.m. with funeral services Friday, June 22, 2018, at 11 a.m.; additional visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. before services. Officiating will be the Rev. Steve Moore. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in honor of Ivan be made to The Wounded Warriors Project or The Alzheimer's Association. Military honors will be provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 972.