James Williamson

Brigadier General (Retired) James E. Williamson

Brandon, MS

General Williamson was born on December 29, 1930 in Mendenhall, MS.  He joined the Mississippi National Guard on September 5, 1949, while he was attending Copiah-Lincoln Junior College. He was called to active duty on September 5, 1950 during the Korean Conflict.  He was assigned to a basic training battalion as an instructor for new inductees at Camp Pickett, Virginia.  While on active duty, he completed the Medical Aidman’s Course at Fort Sam Houston, TX and subsequently was reassigned to Camp Pickett Army Hospital, where he served as a supply sergeant until October 1953.  On March21, 1954 he transferred to the Headquarters Battery, 115th AAA Battalion.  General Williamson was given a direct commission in this same battalion on March 21, 1954.

General Williamson began his civilian career with the Mississippi National Guard at the USPFO for Mississippi on July 7, 1952 as a clerk typist and subsequently   was assigned as Supply Clerk, 1953; Field Auditor, 1954; Supply Officer, 1955; Logistics Officer, 1964; Supervisory Logistics Management Officer/Deputy USPFO, 1974.  He was appointed as the USPFO for Mississippi on February 14, 1984 and served in that capacity until his retirement on December 31, 1990.

General Williamson’s Military Awards and Decorations include:

National Defense Service Medal
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (w/2OLC)
Good Conduct Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w/2OLC)
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Mississippi War Medal
Mississippi Emergency Service Medal (w/8OLC)
Mississippi Longevity Medal
Mississippi School Medal (w/5OLC)
Army National Guard Meritorious Service Medal

General Williamson’s Military assignments included:

Adjutant                                                        21 March 1954
Motor Officer                                                 15 May 1954
Supply Officer                                                5 October 1955
Liaison Officer                                               1 May 1959
Assistant G-4                                                  1 November 1959
Supply Management Officer                        7 October 1962
Executive Officer, 155th Armored Brigade  1 October 1974
Supply Management Officer                          5 April 1975
Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics                     1 December 1978
USPFO for Mississippi                                    14 February 1984

Rest in Peace Soldier and friend

Visitation will be held from 8:30am-10:15am on Sat. Nov. 23, 2019 at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS. Funeral Services are 10:30am on Sat. Nov. 23, 2019 at the Ott & Lee Funeral Home Chapel in Brandon, MS with burial to follow in the Macedonia Cemetery in Mendenhall, MS.

Survivors include his wife, Jessie Willamson; sons, James "Jim" Edward (Sylvia) Williamson, Jr., John S. (Christy) Williamson, and Dan Lee (Larene) Williamson; daughter in law, Kimberly Bowman, sister, Laurene Courtney; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren. He was preceded  in death by a son, David G. Williamson; parents,  A.G. Williamson and  Rosa Lee Williamson; brothers, George G. Williamson and JL "Doc" Williamson

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to His Heart, Calvary Baptist Church, 1300 W. Capital St, Jackson, MS 39203 or to the Mississippi Veterans Home, 3261 Highway 49 S., Collins, MS 39428.