Edward "Big Eddie" Joseph Williamson Jr, passed away in his sleep Monday, June 13, 2016 in Springfield, Missouri. He was 87. He was born February 7, 1929 to Edward Joseph Sr. and Thelma Dawson Williamson in Springfield, Missouri.
Educated through the Catholic School system in Springfield, Missouri, Eddie joined the United States Army in August of 1950 where he became a master sergeant, serving his country honorably; he was awarded; 4 Bronze Medal Campaign Stars, a Korean Service Medal, and an Occupation Medal for his time in Japan, and a United Nations Service Medal. After the war, he returned to civilian life and made a career as a welder and pipefitter at missile sites across the United States.
Eddie was an active member of the community. A licensed HAM Radio Operator, and for more than 50 years he served the Blue Lodge as a 32nd degree Mason. In conjunction with his Masonic ties, he was a Shriner at the Abou Ben Adhem Temple of Springfield, Missouri where he served as a Camel Herder.
On August 27, 1950 in a private service in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Eddie married the love of his life, Eva Mary Tuttle.
"Big Eddie" was a talented and fierce competitor. In his youth, he excelled in a myriad of activities. In his teens, he once reigned as Golden Gloves Champion. Concurrently, he represented the area at statewide roller skating competitions where he won numerous medals for speed skating and couples dance skating.
In 2009, he was inducted into the Missouri Racing Hall of Fame as a Legend to the sport. Back in the day, many local fans cheered for Eddie as he rounded the turns in the Dr. Pepper stock car. The games didn't stop at the Ozark Empire Speedway, he was also, a Missouri Dirt Track champion, a darn good bowler, and one heck of a fast-pitch softball catcher. He took pride in catching Tom Doyle's power pitches. Eddie was known for his tremendous mastery of a pool cue and up until 12 years ago when a stroke robbed him of the use of his left arm, he brought many opponents to their knees.
His wife Eva and his sons and their families' survive him: Edward "Eddie" Lee Williamson, his wife Angie Letterman Williamson and their sons; Justin Ryan Andrew Williamson, his wife Julianna Cameron Williamson, their daughter Lacy Grace Williamson; Edward "David" Williamson and Ian Sutton Williamson. Daniel "Danny" Williamson, and his son Jason; his brother, Frank Lee Williamson, and his wife Mary Williamson.
His parents, Edward Joseph Sr. and Thelma Dawson Williamson, and a younger sister, Mary Elizabeth McElhaney, preceded Eddie in death.
Graveside service in Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.
Published in the News-Leader July 3, 2016
Educated through the Catholic School system in Springfield, Missouri, Eddie joined the United States Army in August of 1950 where he became a master sergeant, serving his country honorably; he was awarded; 4 Bronze Medal Campaign Stars, a Korean Service Medal, and an Occupation Medal for his time in Japan, and a United Nations Service Medal. After the war, he returned to civilian life and made a career as a welder and pipefitter at missile sites across the United States.
Eddie was an active member of the community. A licensed HAM Radio Operator, and for more than 50 years he served the Blue Lodge as a 32nd degree Mason. In conjunction with his Masonic ties, he was a Shriner at the Abou Ben Adhem Temple of Springfield, Missouri where he served as a Camel Herder.
On August 27, 1950 in a private service in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Eddie married the love of his life, Eva Mary Tuttle.
"Big Eddie" was a talented and fierce competitor. In his youth, he excelled in a myriad of activities. In his teens, he once reigned as Golden Gloves Champion. Concurrently, he represented the area at statewide roller skating competitions where he won numerous medals for speed skating and couples dance skating.
In 2009, he was inducted into the Missouri Racing Hall of Fame as a Legend to the sport. Back in the day, many local fans cheered for Eddie as he rounded the turns in the Dr. Pepper stock car. The games didn't stop at the Ozark Empire Speedway, he was also, a Missouri Dirt Track champion, a darn good bowler, and one heck of a fast-pitch softball catcher. He took pride in catching Tom Doyle's power pitches. Eddie was known for his tremendous mastery of a pool cue and up until 12 years ago when a stroke robbed him of the use of his left arm, he brought many opponents to their knees.
His wife Eva and his sons and their families' survive him: Edward "Eddie" Lee Williamson, his wife Angie Letterman Williamson and their sons; Justin Ryan Andrew Williamson, his wife Julianna Cameron Williamson, their daughter Lacy Grace Williamson; Edward "David" Williamson and Ian Sutton Williamson. Daniel "Danny" Williamson, and his son Jason; his brother, Frank Lee Williamson, and his wife Mary Williamson.
His parents, Edward Joseph Sr. and Thelma Dawson Williamson, and a younger sister, Mary Elizabeth McElhaney, preceded Eddie in death.
Graveside service in Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.
Published in the News-Leader July 3, 2016
Edward "Big Eddie" Joseph Williamson Jr, passed away in his sleep Monday, June 13, 2016 in Springfield, Missouri. He was 87. He was born February 7, 1929 to Edward Joseph Sr. and Thelma Dawson Williamson in Springfield, Missouri.
Educated through the Catholic School system in Springfield, Missouri, Eddie joined the United States Army in August of 1950 where he became a master sergeant, serving his country honorably; he was awarded; 4 Bronze Medal Campaign Stars, a Korean Service Medal, and an Occupation Medal for his time in Japan, and a United Nations Service Medal. After the war, he returned to civilian life and made a career as a welder and pipefitter at missile sites across the United States.
Eddie was an active member of the community. A licensed HAM Radio Operator, and for more than 50 years he served the Blue Lodge as a 32nd degree Mason. In conjunction with his Masonic ties, he was a Shriner at the Abou Ben Adhem Temple of Springfield, Missouri where he served as a Camel Herder.
On August 27, 1950 in a private service in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Eddie married the love of his life, Eva Mary Tuttle.
"Big Eddie" was a talented and fierce competitor. In his youth, he excelled in a myriad of activities. In his teens, he once reigned as Golden Gloves Champion. Concurrently, he represented the area at statewide roller skating competitions where he won numerous medals for speed skating and couples dance skating.
In 2009, he was inducted into the Missouri Racing Hall of Fame as a Legend to the sport. Back in the day, many local fans cheered for Eddie as he rounded the turns in the Dr. Pepper stock car. The games didn't stop at the Ozark Empire Speedway, he was also, a Missouri Dirt Track champion, a darn good bowler, and one heck of a fast-pitch softball catcher. He took pride in catching Tom Doyle's power pitches. Eddie was known for his tremendous mastery of a pool cue and up until 12 years ago when a stroke robbed him of the use of his left arm, he brought many opponents to their knees.
His wife Eva and his sons and their families' survive him: Edward "Eddie" Lee Williamson, his wife Angie Letterman Williamson and their sons; Justin Ryan Andrew Williamson, his wife Julianna Cameron Williamson, their daughter Lacy Grace Williamson; Edward "David" Williamson and Ian Sutton Williamson. Daniel "Danny" Williamson, and his son Jason; his brother, Frank Lee Williamson, and his wife Mary Williamson.
His parents, Edward Joseph Sr. and Thelma Dawson Williamson, and a younger sister, Mary Elizabeth McElhaney, preceded Eddie in death.
Graveside service in Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.
Published in the News-Leader July 3, 2016
Educated through the Catholic School system in Springfield, Missouri, Eddie joined the United States Army in August of 1950 where he became a master sergeant, serving his country honorably; he was awarded; 4 Bronze Medal Campaign Stars, a Korean Service Medal, and an Occupation Medal for his time in Japan, and a United Nations Service Medal. After the war, he returned to civilian life and made a career as a welder and pipefitter at missile sites across the United States.
Eddie was an active member of the community. A licensed HAM Radio Operator, and for more than 50 years he served the Blue Lodge as a 32nd degree Mason. In conjunction with his Masonic ties, he was a Shriner at the Abou Ben Adhem Temple of Springfield, Missouri where he served as a Camel Herder.
On August 27, 1950 in a private service in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Eddie married the love of his life, Eva Mary Tuttle.
"Big Eddie" was a talented and fierce competitor. In his youth, he excelled in a myriad of activities. In his teens, he once reigned as Golden Gloves Champion. Concurrently, he represented the area at statewide roller skating competitions where he won numerous medals for speed skating and couples dance skating.
In 2009, he was inducted into the Missouri Racing Hall of Fame as a Legend to the sport. Back in the day, many local fans cheered for Eddie as he rounded the turns in the Dr. Pepper stock car. The games didn't stop at the Ozark Empire Speedway, he was also, a Missouri Dirt Track champion, a darn good bowler, and one heck of a fast-pitch softball catcher. He took pride in catching Tom Doyle's power pitches. Eddie was known for his tremendous mastery of a pool cue and up until 12 years ago when a stroke robbed him of the use of his left arm, he brought many opponents to their knees.
His wife Eva and his sons and their families' survive him: Edward "Eddie" Lee Williamson, his wife Angie Letterman Williamson and their sons; Justin Ryan Andrew Williamson, his wife Julianna Cameron Williamson, their daughter Lacy Grace Williamson; Edward "David" Williamson and Ian Sutton Williamson. Daniel "Danny" Williamson, and his son Jason; his brother, Frank Lee Williamson, and his wife Mary Williamson.
His parents, Edward Joseph Sr. and Thelma Dawson Williamson, and a younger sister, Mary Elizabeth McElhaney, preceded Eddie in death.
Graveside service in Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.
Published in the News-Leader July 3, 2016
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