Robert Temple Williamson
Published 12:00 am Thursday, January 15, 2009
Funeral services for Robert Temple Williamson, 94, of Leesville, will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 16, at the First Baptist Church of Leesville. The Rev. Matthew Endris will officiate, assisted by Dr. Jerry Penfield and Rev.
Wallace Palmer.
Burial will follow in the Old Anacoco Cemetery under the direction of Smart and Son Funeral Home. Mr. Williamson passed away on Tuesday, January 13, at his home.
Mr. Williamson was born to Nelson and Belle Connella
Williamson on April 1, 1914, in Buckner. He spent his early years on the family farm in Richland Parish near Alto. His father passed away when he was two years old, so he moved several times with his family in order for his mother to teach school in
Jackson and Ouachita Parishes. He was graduated from Eros High School on May 3, 1930.
Following graduation, he worked for the Railway Express and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. He met “Miss Nettie,†his wife of 51 years, when they were
employed by Coca-Cola in Natchitoches. He served honorably during World War II in the United States Air Force.
On return to Leesville, he held several jobs before becoming employed at the United States Post Office. The Williamsons owned Bob’s
Conoco Station for several years and then opened the Ben Franklin Store on Third Street. They participated in civic activities. Mr. Williamson was a member of the Civitan Club and served as president for one year.
“Bro. Bob,†as he was
affectionately known by his friends, joined the First Baptist Church of Leesville on November 22, 1953. He was a faithful member and a strong believer in Sunday School, serving as superintendent for a number of years. He taught an adult class, which
he dearly loved doing, until he retired from teaching in 2003 at 89 years of age.
He was ordained as deacon on September 23, 1956, and he was designated as Deacon Emeritus in 2004. He served seven terms as chairman of the Deacon Board under
four different pastors. He was a tither and he loved serving the Lord through the local church.
He was a Gideon and a member of the Masonic Lodge and El Karubah Shrine.
The Williamson family raised Southdown and Dorset sheep. This started
as a 4-H Club project, but grew to be a family hobby. Mr. Williamson was a gentle shepherd, and he loved spending hours with his sheep.
He was also a member of ABC, Alumni By Choice, of the Leesville High School Alumni Association.
Mr.
Williamson was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nettie Lamberth Williamson; his son, Nelson Williamson; his brother, Edmund C. Williamson; his sister, Lucille W. Ballard; nephew, James Williamson; and niece, Ann W. Cummins.
He is
survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Carol and Ronnie Risinger of Spring, Texas, and Robert Nell (called Robbie or Rinkie) and Leonard Endris of Blanchard,; six grandchildren, Mary R. Coleman and husband David of Byers, Texas; Lisa R. Morris
and husband Darren of Spring, Texas; Terri Anne Risinger and Brian Risinger of Spring, Texas; Matthew Endris and wife Jana of Fairview-Alpha, and Paul Robert Endris and wife, Kristal, of Bossier City; eleven great-grandchildren, Garrett, Heidi, and
Heather Coleman; Courtney, Colby and Kelsie Morris; Claire and Levi Endris; and Paris, Chamberlain and Silas Endris.
He is also survived by a nephew, Edmund Nelson Williamson; a niece, Laura Ballard Cooper; and a niece by marriage, Josie
Lamberth.
The family wishes to thank four special ladies who assisted with his care: Mittie Dowden, Joe Ann Sepulvado, Adeline Harris and Sue Burnham; along with the staff of Journey Hospice, especially Paula Hayden, Drs. Otis Biggs and Hanna
Lubbos; members of the First Baptist and East Leesville Baptist Churches; and many friends.
Pallbearers are Dewitt Wagner, Asa Skinner, Vernon Clark, Ken Hughes, Randall Smith, Jackie Self, Ed Brady and Tommy Cannon.
Honorary pallbearers
are the deacons of the First Baptist Church.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 15 at Smart and Son Funeral Home in Leesville, and Friday morning at 10 a.m. in the church.