John Williamson

John S. Williamson, 81, of 406 Entwistle Street, Hamlet died Monday, February 12th at his home. He was born March 22, 1925 in the same house at 406 Entwistle Street, a son of the late Mildred Bauersfeld and Dr. B. W. Williamson. Mr. Williamson attended the Pansy Fetner School, and graduated from Hamlet High School, where he was on the championship football and boxing teams. In 1943, he enrolled at Wake Forest College, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity. Mr. Williamson enlisted in the U. S Marine Corps during World War II and was placed in the V-12 program at Duke University. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in Quantico, VA and served a year in China. During this period, he married the former Betty Cuthrell of Lexington. Following the war, he enrolled at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and completed two years of study. Mr. Williamson founded Pinecroft Industries in Hamlet. They initially made Early American pine furniture and, later made moveable louvered shutters until his retirement in 1984. He served two terms as a Richmond County Commissioner, and served as chairman. Mr. Williamson was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hamlet, where he served as Treasurer and a Deacon for many years. He was a member of the Hamlet Lions Club and served on the local bank boards with First Union and Southern National Bank. Mr. Williamson was a member of the Saturday Men’s Prayer Breakfast gathering in Hamlet and Birmingham’s Men’s group. He was an avid sportsman with a love of bird and deer hunting and fishing, especially deep-sea fishing. Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 pm Friday, February 16th at First Presbyterian Church in Hamlet with Rev. Shirley Hutchins and Rev. Randy Bishop officiating. Interment will follow in Mary Love Cemetery, with military honors. Surviving are his wife, Betty Williamson of the home; five children, John Samuel Williamson, Jr. of Summerville, SC, Claire and husband Silas Thorne of Morehead City, Betty Lynn and husband Doug Warnock of Hamlet, Lee Martin Williamson of Hamlet, Dr. Cile Williamson and husband Tom Vinson of Pinehurst; ten grandchildren, Josh Yates, Jae Brothers, Ty Brothers, Cameron Yates, Heather Williamson, Sam Warnock, Brinkley Brothers, Chalin Williamson, Tommy Vinson, and Freddy Vinson; and one brother, Dr. B. W. Williamson, Jr. of Hamlet. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 to 8 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Hamlet and other times at the home at 406 Entwistle St. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 200 Rice St., Hamlet, NC 28345 or to the charity on one’s choice.