Obituary of Robert Williamson

Funeral services for Robert H. Williamson, 64, New London, are scheduled for 4:00 pm, Friday, September 21, at the London Baptist Church, with the Reverend Buddy Stovall and the Reverend Ken Hayman officiating. Burial will follow in Rusk County Memorial Gardens, under the direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton. Mr. Williamson went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of Wednesday, September 19, 2007. Born September 15, 1943, he celebrated his 64th birthday Saturday, September 15. He was born in KIlgore to Robert Therrel Williamson and Verda Mae Petree Williamson on September 15, 1943. A lifelong resident of New London, he was a 1962 graduate of London High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Judy Carolyn Loveall, in 1967. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, Sunday, September 2, 2007. Robert worked in oil field related industries and insurance sales for 40 years. He served in the U.S. Air Force, from which he was honorably discharged. Robert is known as 'Papaw' to his favorite little men. They always had a peanut butter snack waiting for them when they came to visit. He and Judy loved to take their motor home and travel. The past two years, he and Judy had taken their 'some day' trips, including cruises to Hawaii, Mexico, trips to the Florida Keys, Galveston and a train ride out to see the Marfa Lights. Robert was known as the 'Animal Man' because stray animals always found a home with him. His buddies knew they had a good friend to share stories with over an afternoon cup of coffee. Affectionately known to his friends as 'Chin', he loved to tell stories, good ones. Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Judy Loveall Williamson, New London; a son, Ashley Williamson, Arlington, a daughter and son-in-law, Wendy Love Williamson Jackson and Jake Jackson, New London; his mother, Verda Mae Williamson, New London; two grandsons, William Paul Jackson and Cole McCoy Jackson, both of New London; two nieces Jan Loveall Lewis, Texarkana and Kelly Loveall Sharp, Honolulu; two nephews, Christopher Loveall, Texarkana and Skylar James Loveall, New London; cousins, Martha Held, Galveston and Nita Mae Smith, Whitehouse, Bill Starret, Bossier City, Louisiana, and Linda Lou, Austin. Pallbearers will be Dale Johnson, George Hamilton, Jim Youngblood, Ricky Silvertooth, Billy Vernon, and Bill Davis. Honorary pallbearers will be the London High School Class of 1962. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Thursday, September 20.