Jerry Paul Williamson

JERRY P. WILLIAMSON

Jerry Williamson, age 94, passed away on Monday, December 4, 2017 at Kingston Care Center of Sylvania. He was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, on March 3, 1923, to Paul and Sue (Reams) Williamson. Four years later, the family moved to Toledo. Jerry attended Oakdale Elementary and graduated from Waite High School in 1941. He enrolled at the University of Toledo that fall. In 1943, he was called to active service in the U.S. Army, and he served in the European Theatre with the 14th Armored Division (a.k.a. “The Liberators”). Returning to the States after the war, Jerry married his fiancée, Ruth Blankley, on September 25, 1945, at Clark Street Methodist Church. He worked for Schultz Die Casting Company as a sales representative while attending night classes at TU and received his BBA degree in June 1952.

He joined the sales division of the Curtis Publishing Company in 1962 as a School Plan Representative. Seven years later, he was promoted to District Manager and transferred to Columbus, Ohio. Under his leadership, his District received numerous awards for exceeding sales goals. Jerry retired in June 1983 and returned to Sylvania in 1985.

In retirement, Jerry did volunteer work as a Tax Consultant with AARP’s Tax-Aide Program, served as a Precinct Judge for the Lucas County Board of Elections, and served on numerous boards in his church and his high school reunion committees.

He was a Life Member of the 14th Armored Division Association, Life Member of the University of Toledo Alumni Association, Conn Weissenberger American Legion Post 0587, and Epworth United Methodist Church. He participated in the Honor Flight trip for WWII veterans to Washington D.C. in 2011.

He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Sue Williamson and his wife Ruth. He is survived by his daughter Dorinda (Thom) Walsh of University Place, WA; granddaughter Karie (Rich) Carranza of West Sacramento, CA; grandsons Kevin Walsh of Tacoma, WA and Brian (Jeanne) Walsh of Enumclaw, WA; brother Thomas “Pete” Williamson of Sylvania, OH; and four great-grandchildren: Madison and Brendan Walsh and Zackary and Piper Carranza.

The body will be at Reeb Mortuary from 4 pm to 8 pm on Thursday, December 14, where the funeral will be officiated by Rev. Dr. Doug Damron at 11 am on Friday, December 15 with burial in Toledo Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Epworth United Methodist Church or to Promedica Hospice.