Earnest Williamson

Earnest Fred Williamson passed away the morning of November 11, 2020:  Veterans Day.  He was born January 28, 1930, in Norphlet, Arkansas. He was the younger of two sons born to Annie Mae (Davidson) and X.O. Clayton Williamson. His childhood years were spent in Arkansas and southern Louisiana.  On August, 2, 1948, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the Army in Houston, Texas and was sent to Fort Ord, California for basic training.  While here, he and an Army buddy visited a skating rink in nearby Salinas, California. He noticed an attractive young red head that caught his eye.  Mable Smith was caring for her young niece and nephew and had taken them to the rink.  After a courtship that included a lot of skating, she would become his bride.

Fred was later sent off to serve in the war in Korea.  While overseas, he received a battlefield commission and bronze star among other recognitions.  After three years and eight months, he left the service and returned home to start a new life.  At the encouragement of his older brother, he loaded up his young family and moved to Texas to begin a nearly 40 year career in the oil field.  His job took him to Abilene and Big Spring, Texas then to Gillette, Wyoming and finally Denver, Colorado.  He worked his way up from rough neck to VP of American Mud and finally as co-owner of H & W Drilling Fluids based in Denver, Colorado.

Aside from work Fred loved to golf, hunt and fish in his spare time. Upon retiring from the oil industry, he and Mable sold their home and moved into their Las Vegas condo.  Fred wanted to do some part time work and became a Security Guard at Bally’s Casino.  As time went by, it became important for them to move closer to family.  This relocation took them to Roswell, New Mexico.  Being the restless type, he still wanted to work and found employment as a Security Guard at Eastern New Mexico University. He became Chief of Security and enjoyed his new line of work and the relationships he was able to make.  Once again he retired only to find himself lost.  As luck would have it, part time work was found at ILEA (International Law Enforcement Academy).  At ILEA, participating countries are trained in narcotics interdiction, counterterrorism, fraud detection, etc.  This effort was funded by the Department of State and helped train top law enforcement personnel from less advanced countries. He and Mable were fortunate enough to meet many people from countries around the world during welcome ceremonies and graduations.  Finally, the time came when permanent retirement was in order and Fred stepped out of the work a day world for good.  One last move found Fred and Mable back in Texas.

Fred is survived by his oldest daughter, Margie Musslewhite and husband Chapple of Arlington, Texas; son David Williamson and wife Marla of Lake Fork, Texas; eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mable Claire Williamson; his daughter, Marilyn Sue Abbott; his father, Pete Williamson and step mother Louise Williamson; his mother Annie Mae Goins (Davidson) and step father John D. Goins; and his older brother, Clayton Buddy Williamson.

His final resting place will be at the National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.  Service date TBD.