George Caroll Williamson, 90, died peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015. He was a native of Wickliffe, Ky., but had lived in recent years in Leitchfield, Ky.
He was a veteran of WWII and an officer in the Army Air Forces as a bombardier on a B-29. He was a 1950 graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in electrical engineering and a member of the Triangle Fraternity. He was employed by Union Carbide when the gaseous diffusion plant opened near Paducah in 1951 and worked there unit his retirement in 1984.
George was an avid fisherman, duck and quail hunter and golfer. He was one of the founding members of the Ballard County Country Club and served as its president. He was an officer in the Cairo, IL Elks Club. He was a competitive bridge player and great dancer. His great love, after his family, was University of Kentucky basketball. George lived a good life and enjoyed every minute of it.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; his parents, George H. and Speed Williamson; sisters, LaWanda Evans and Jeanette Maley; stepgrandson, Jason McQuady and great-granddaughter, Isabelle Redding.
He is survived by his three daughters, Leah MacSwords (William Legg), Mary Speed Embry (Mark) and Casey Greer (Phil); seven grandchildren, Amanda Jean Stucker, Carol Ann Kroehler, Wendee Marie Embry, Leah Michelle Redding, Melody Joyce Embry, Andrew Philip Greer and Madeline Marie Greer; five great-grandchildren; two stepchildren, Randall McQuady (Ruthie) and Elaine Guerra (John); stepgrandchildren, Kristi Watwood (Tracy) and Darren Stevens (Jennifer) and three stepgreat-grandchildren. He is also survived by his former wife, Shirley Williamson, and son-in-law, Rusty MacSwords.
Visitation will be on Friday, Jan. 23, at the Dermitt-Joyce Funeral Home in Caneyville, Ky., from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Milner and Orr Funeral Home in Wickliffe, Ky., from 10 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. which will begin a celebration of his life and his love of the Wildcats. He will be buried in the Barlow Cemetery. The family invites everyone who attends the visitation and service in Wickliffe to wear UK themed clothing.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Smalls Grove Church in Caneyville, Ky.; Hosparus of Central Kentucky or the University of Kentucky Alumni Association.