Robert Williamson

Madison - Robert "Bob" Williamson passed away on August 8th at Agrace Hospicecare of Fitchburg. He was born March 10, 1919 at Paris, Illinois to Robert S. Williamson and Mary E. Williamson. He graduated from Paris High School in 1937 and worked in a wholesale grocery firm serving as manager of one of their retail stores. During this period he attended night school in business management under a program of the U.S. Dept. of Small Business Administration. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II assigned to the headquarters company of the 103rd CB's. He spent 13 months on Guam and was discharged in March 1946. He married Helen Querry in 1949 at Paris, Illinois. He returned to college under the GI bill and earned a degree in Accounting and Business Administration. In January 1952 he was employed by Central Soya Co. and joined their accounting department at the Gibson Illinois processing plant. He worked for 32 years at Central Soya and retired from the Madison plant in 1984. Bob was a gentle, friendly man with a sense of humor and a good listener. He enjoyed spending time with his wife on her trips to antique stores as they traveled around the country. His hobbies were fishing, traveling, gardening, and nature photography. Bob was a 55 year member of Masonic Lodge #268, Paris, Illinois, Madison Golden K Kiwanis, and a longtime supporter of Olbrich Gardens and the U.W. Arboretum. He was preceded in death by his parents, his dear wife, Helen, who shared his life for 58 years until her death in September 2007, his brother William, and his sister Mary Jean. He will be greatly missed by his son Daryll (Jeri) Williamson, Sister in Law Marilyn Querry, nieces Julia Blank, Linda Querry, Janet Wolfe, great-nieces Erin Wolfe, Jenifer Houston, and great-nephew Kyle Wolfe, along with extended family and friends: and his special friends and neighbors on Waite Circle in Madison.
A visitation will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday August 17 at Cress Funeral Service, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A memorial service will begin at 11:00 am. with Rev. Tina Lang officiating. Bob was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Madison for over 40 years and was also a member of Methodist churches in Illinois and Ohio. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the church at the funeral home or directly to First United Methodist Church, 203 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, Wi. 53703.