Willie grew up on a farm in rural Alabama tending to chores from a very young age as that was an essential way of life. The farm was full of wonderful experiences for a kid and Willie gained his sense of responsibility and service and his down-home spirit that served him well throughout his life.
After graduating from high school, Willie joined the US Air Force and served in the Philippines. He made many lifelong friends and told stories about those days throughout his life. When his tour was over, he came back to Pensacola, where his family had relocated to and began a lifelong career at Chemstrand/Monsanto as a chemical operator. He retired after 42 years having never missed a day of work! A mighty achievement.
Willie married the love of his life, Shirley Scott, on August 1, 1969. Each having previous marriages with 2 children apiece, they began their blended family with four adolescent girls, Lynn, Susan, Cindy and Connie. The family grew to five in 1972 with the addition of their son, MC (Scott) Williamson III.
Willie and Shirley were devout Christians and members of West Pensacola Baptist Church. Willie served God by spending his time helping out at the church, volunteering for the food bank, and giving his time to the church membership wherever he saw a need. Willie’s favorite ballcap was captioned ‘Jesus is my boss’ and he lived that way every day.
Willie and Shirley enjoyed square dancing, camping and tinkering, and never missed a ballgame, play, recital or school activity for their children.
He described himself as an old country boy and loved to tell everyone that he was nothing but a redneck. He was much more than that to his growing family. His kids, grandkids, great grandkids and extended family all believed their Papa was the best. Most of all Willie was a family man. The devotion to his beloved wife was everything to him. After he retired from Monsanto, he said his job now was to take care of his wife and that’s just what he did. They were two peas in a pod, always together, holding hands and being there for each other through all of it.
Willie is survived by his wife, Shirley Williamson, his children Susan Combs, Connie Wynne, Scott Williamson and his spouse Amanda; grandchildren Christopher Wynne, Trinity Ellis, Jared Wynne, BJ Combs, Lucas Combs, Eric Wynne and Raven Williamson, and sister Shannon Court. He was preceded in death by his mother Nadine Papernot, father MC Williamson Sr, brother James Ralph Williamson, and daughters Lynn Crowson and Cindy Wiese.
May his memory be a blessing.
A graveside service for Millard will be held Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at 1:00 PM, at Bayview Memorial Park, 3351 Scenic Highway 90e, Pensacola, FL 32503.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BayviewFisher-PouChapel.com for the Williamson family.
v.1.1.3