Billie Earl Williamson

Billie E. Williamson, 96, a longtime Miami resident, passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at home. Bill was born March 19, 1929, in East Saint Louis, Illinois, to Thomas Earl and Virginia (Henderson) Williamson. Bill was raised in the Picher and Hockerville area during the mining boom. He graduated from Baxter Springs High School with the Class of 1949. In 1950, Bill enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington and Fort Sill in Oklahoma. He served in the Battery and Service Unit of the Artillery Battalion. On January 29, 1983, Bill married Jeanie (Lee). He and Jeanie were members of First Baptist Church in Miami. He worked at Rasor-West Distributing from 1959 to 1995, when he retired as a Sales Manager and General Manager. Bill, lovingly known as “Papa Bill” by all his grandchildren and great grandchildren, cultivated a deep love in our family for the Rocky Mountains and hiking. He was our hiking guide for years on the trail, but best known to his family for his love, stories, and laughter. In later years, he developed a passion for genealogy, and after much research, wrote a book about our German ancestors’ arduous journey by wagon to settle in Missouri. His greatest legacy he leaves our family was his love for Christ Jesus. Bill was preceded in passing by his parents, Thomas and Virginia Williamson, a brother, Gary Williamson, and a sister, Rosemary Williamson. Mr. Williamson leaves to carry on his legacy his loving wife Jeanie Williamson of the home, his daughters Karen Royalty and her husband Wayne of Springfield, Missouri, Julie Kemp and her husband Kenny of Arvada, Colorado, one stepdaughter Adrianne Miller of Tulsa, a stepson Colby Miller and his wife JoLeene of Gardner, Kansas, five grandchildren Traci Moilanen and her husband Trek of Dallas, Shanda White of Springfield, Kristin Morris and her husband John of Fair Grove, Missouri, Adam Kemp and his wife Katie of Arvada, Colorado, Kelsey Kemp of Loveland, Colorado, four step-grandchildren Seth Coombes and his wife Lauren of Joplin, Jake Miller, Devon Miller and Callie Miller of Gardner, Kansas, fourteen great grandchildren, Jared White, Ashley White, Emma Sue White, Hannah Morris, Minna Morris, Gretta Morris, Madi Morris, Clayton Morris, Hallie Kemp, Carter Kemp, Logan Kemp, Ethan Moilanen and Eiley Moilanen, a great grandson Jackson Foster and one step great grandson Harrison Coombes. There will be a time for friends to come by and sign Bill’s Book and view his video tribute from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami. Graveside Services will be Friday, May 9, 2025, at Rolston Cemetery on Monkey Island, Oklahoma, at 1:00 PM with Mr. Phil Trussler officiating. Interment is under the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami. The family wants to extend a special thank you to the staff at DaVita Dialysis, Integris Hospice, and his special friends Mike Lee, Weldon Speer, and Tom Kirsch. Memorial contributions should be made to the Genealogy department at the Miami Public Library. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Bill’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Billie Earl Williamson

March 19, 1929 - May 3, 2025