ESSEX -- Billy Marion Williamson, 82, died April 11, 2005, at Missouri Delta Medical center in Sikeston.
Born July 1, 1922, at Essex, son of the late Roy Harry and Minnie Lee Crutcher Williamson, he had lived all of his life in Essex where he graduated from Essex High School in 1941 and attended the Assembly of God Church. He had been a spray pilot, a farmer, and then worked for the Missouri Department of Revenue in the tax division. He later served as the Stoddard County public administrator. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served with the 82nd Airborne Paratroopers for three years during World War II and was a sergeant. Serving in Rome-Arno, Normandy, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe, he was awarded five Bronze Service Stars, two Purple Hearts and a Good Conduct Medal.
On May 28, 1943, at Richmond, Va., he married Wilma Ruth Dunn.
Survivors include: two sons, Mark Williamson of Gonzales, La., and Billy Dean Williamson of Essex; two daughters, Sharon Lee Platipodis of St. Louis and Vicki Jo Dobson of Cape Girardeau; one brother, Estel Williamson of Essex; one sister, Pat Quattlebaum of Cleburne, Texas; and eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter; one brother, Harry Glenn Williamson Sr. on Sept. 24, 2001; and one sister, Margy Dopps in 2002.
Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter where services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday. The Rev. Doyle Corlew of Dexter will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Essex Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the Stoddard County Veterans Honor Team.