John Lee Williamson

John Lee Williamson, 81, Tipton, died Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, at Tipton Oak Manor.
He was born Sept. 30, 1933, in Lawrence County, Spring River Township near Verona, Mo., a son of Oscar Theodore and Ellen Winifred Nelson Williamson. On July 3, 1971, in Osgood, Ind., he married Mary L. Fassler who survives of the home.

Mr. Williamson graduated from Marionville High School, and served his country in the Army National Guard 203rd Anti-Aircraft Division headquartered in Aurora. He worked 25 years in the shoe industry, mostly in management, for various companies at factories in Aurora, Tipton, Osgood, Ind., Sparta, N.C., Owenton, Ky. and Ripley, Ohio, and later at Bassett Bedding in Tipton. He was a deputy on the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department, served on the Tipton Police Department as a night deputy several years, owned a bait shop, service station/convenience store for 17 years, and worked at Cash Saver Grocery Store in Sedalia. He retired from there as assistant manager because of health problems.
He served on the Marionville City Council and also later served as Mayor of the City of Tipton. He was a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church.

Fishing was his favorite pastime. He also enjoyed quail hunting, bird watching, gardening and woodworking. He was always happy to see and spend time with his grandchildren.

Also surviving is a sister, Ardis Robertson, Salida, Calif.; three sons, Douglas Eugene Williamson, North Wilkesboro, N.C., Danny Lee Williamson, Springfield, Mo., and Scott Gerard (Debra Payne) Williamson, Statesville, N.C.; four daughters, Jacquline Elaine Schutte (Tim Montgomery), Aurora, Rebecca Ann (Charles Andrew) Holloway, Melissa Diane (Michael) Blume, Rockaway, N.J., and Therese Rose (Luis) Vela, Katy, Texas; 11 grandchildren, Michael, Michelle and Nicole Schutte, all of Aurora, Lindsay Williamson Carrier, Piney Cree, N.C., Skyler Vela, Katy, Texas, Sarah, Rachael and Drew Williamson, Statesville, N.C., Lexie Holloway Sheets, Tipton, and Haley and Zachary Blume, Rockaway, N.J.; and nine great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Beckett; and a brother, W. Wesley Williamson.

There will be a prayer service at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4 followed by visitation until 7:30 p.m. at Meisenheimer Funeral Home, Tipton.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 at St. Andrew Catholic Church with Father Frederick Elskamp officiating, assisted by Deacon Bob Reinkemeyer. Music will be by Heather Martin and Lisa Reinkemeyer.

Burial will be in St. Andrew's Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Aaron Fassler, Cameron Rogers, Edward Wiecken, Joe Matherne, Luis Vela and Drew Williamson.

The family suggests memorials to St. Andrew Catholic Church, Hospice Compassus, or the Tipton City Park.