© The Guthrie News Leader

Tuesday, May 13, 2003

Funeral services for Denzel Eugene Williamson, 80, of Pauls Valley were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at Trinity Baptist Church with the Revs. Kent Wooster and Tim Bowen officiating. Interment followed in Mt. Olivet Cemetery under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home of Pauls Valley.

Williamson was born Dec. 21, 1922 in Hulbert to Ben Frank Williamson and Lula Ann (Dotson) Williamson. He passed away from this life on May 9, 2003.

Denzel attended Coyle Schools until he joined the U. S. Army in 1940. He served in the 120th Ordinance in the South Pacific for six years. He received the American Defense Service Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal. After returning home from World War II, he married Betty Jean Lacey in Seminole in 1948 while attending Seminole Junior College. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1952 with a degree in geology.

Denzel began his career with Welex and the Western Oil Company. He and Betty bought Jackson's Furniture Store in 1969 and began Williamson's Furniture. Denzel retired from Western in 1972 and began working full-time at Williamson's Furniture Store where he continued to work everyday.

Denzel was a 32nd-degree Mason with the McAlester Consistory, a member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, an honorary member of the Pauls Valley FFA and a member of Trinity Baptist Church of Pauls Valley. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play ball, taking care of his cattle and working on his farm and yard. Denzel loved baseball and supported the baseball program by sponsoring teams in Pauls Valley for many years. He loved hearing and telling the latest jokes, and passed this love of humor on to his children and grandchildren along with many other virtuous traits. He was the strong silent type with principles based on honesty and integrity, and he never voiced a complaint. Denzel was a constant figure in all our lives and was loved by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Bett Williamson, of the home; three sons, Larry Denzel Williamson of Oklahoma City, Ben Eugene Williamson of Pauls Valley and Denny Lee Williamson and wife Tina of Pauls Valley; one daughter, Rhea Ann Williamson of Pauls Valley; six grandsons, Brent Williamson of Tishomingo, Lesley Williamson of Yukon, Bryan Williamson of Oklahoma City and Denver, Dylan and Jesse Williamson of Pauls Valley; one great-granddaughter, Morgan Williamson of Yukon; three stepgrandsons, J. C. Johnson, Clay Johnson and Adam Poore; one sister, O. V. Wehr of Colton, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Clyde and Delmer Williamson; and three sisters, Vesta Ballew, Artie Easter and Esther Disheronon.

Pallbearers were John Beck, Jr. Steven Beck, Mike Chambers, Shon Richardson, Lance Whaley and Gary Messec.

Honorary pallbearers were Harold Marcum, O. E. McAnally, Bruce Patton, Port Schnorrenberg, Earl Smith, Grant Beam, John Beck, Dub Web, W. C. Johnston, Clyde Tucker, Obie Campbell, Bobby Gamble and Stan West.

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