BOMBER MEMORIAL

JAMES RICHARD “JIM"/"WILLIE” WILLIAMSON ~ Class of 1953
December 11, 1934 - February 15, 2016

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Jim passed away on February 15, 2016, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was born to Robert and Anna Williamson in Kansas City, Missouri. He moved to Richland in 1944, and graduated from Columbia High School in 1953.

Jim was married to Kathryn Hudson in 1965. They spent many happy days raising her two children, Gary & Larry Davis.

Jim was one of only three people at Hanford who saw the "blue light of a criticality". The others passed away a long time ago. The incident sterilized Jim. In spite of this tragedy, he was an upbeat person whose marriage to Kathryn proved a blessing. She had two sons, Gary and Larry Davis, from a previous marriage. Helping Kathryn raise them brought him much joy.

During the late 1960s through the mid 1970s Jim enjoyed shared ownership of a boat dock on the Columbia River called the “Lucky Six” with five of his friends. He taught many children how to water ski during those years. Jim and Kathryn also loved spending time together boating, relaxing at their summer cabin in Twin Lakes, ID, traveling and being with friends and family.

Jim was a loving, caring and generous man who would do everything he could for any family member or friend needing his help. He had an inviting smile where you knew he would be your friend.

Jim served in the U.S. Army, as a Paratrooper. He was a Pipefitter by trade at Hanford until his retirement in 1994.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Kathryn ('54); parents Anna Swanson and Robert Sinclair Williamson; siblings Mildred Geisendorf, Joann Freidlund, Robert (Bob) Williamson, Allen (Al) Williamson ('47), and John (Jack) Williamson ('48).

He is survived by stepsons Gary (Karen) Davis ('77) and Larry Davis ('80); sister Jean W, Dreher ('49); grandchildren Marie (Nick) West, Amanda Davis, Jason (Alicia) Altman, and Allison (Jason) Neiderhiser: as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Richland on February 27, 2016.

On behalf of the family, gratitude goes out to Professional Case Management (PCM) for all their services over the last 4 years and to Hospice at the Chaplaincy.

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