William Henry Williamson

Yanceyville, NC - William Henry Williamson, known to many as Babe, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on January 5, 2023, at his home in Yanceyville, North Carolina, following an accident.

A beloved husband, devoted father, and loving grandfather, William Henry was the son of the late Henry and Herley Johnson Williamson. He was preceded in death by his brother John Thomas Williamson and sisters Jean Williamson Thompson and Annie Ruth Williamson Weatherford.

His late uncle William Graves gave a young William Henry the nickname “Babe” because he constantly complained that the rocks hurt his bare feet while walking, prompting uncle William to pick him up and carry him on his shoulders.

Like his father, Babe loved to play baseball and would later play for four years on the team at Caswell County High School, where he graduated in 1962. While in high school, Babe also played basketball and worked as a bus driver – granting him the opportunity to meet a young lady named Queen Foster, who would become a very important person in his life.

Not waiting for Uncle Sam to come calling, Babe followed in the footsteps of his older brother Thomas and Uncle Frank, joining the U.S. Air Force at the height of the Vietnam War, rising to the rank of Sergeant. Following his discharge in 1970, Babe and Queen were married, and settled in Yanceyville.

An alumnus of Piedmont Community College and Guilford College, Babe was employed by the North Carolina Department of Corrections, where he worked as a Lieutenant until retiring in 2002. As a second career, Babe returned to bus driving and drove for Caswell County Schools for many years.

Above all else, Babe loved to fresh and saltwater fish and was a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan, with the Carolina Panthers running a very close second. He shared his love of NASCAR with his daughter and later, his grandson. An avid bowler, Babe bowled with a league in Danville, Virginia and dabbled in the sport of golf. He volunteered in the community and was a passionate news junkie and zealous reader of western novels.  Babe was also a member of the local VFW Post 210. He and his wife loved to travel from Canada to South America and from Vermont to California, citing a trip through the Panama Canal as one of his favorites.

Babe is survived by Dr. Queen S. Foster Williamson, his loving wife of 52 years, as well as one daughter, Tiffini Williamson Canty, and one grandson, Joshua Canty, whom he absolutely adored. [Grandfather to grandson… “Your mom is smart, but you are smarter!”] He is also survived by two aunts, one uncle, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of other family and friends.  Special thanks go to his caregiver, Ms. Veronica Clark, an angel in blue.

A viewing will be Thursday, January 12, 2023, from 4 to 7 PM in the John & Juanita S. Fulton Memorial Chapel of Fulton-Walton Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be Friday, January 13, 2023, 1:00 PM with family arriving 12:30 PM at Mineral Springs Baptist Church, Rev. Tommy Williamson will deliver the words of comfort. Interment will follow in the Mineral Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

You are invited to attend services for Mr. William Henry Williamson virtually by clicking on the following link:

https://youtu.be/uQ3ep5ZJZD4

(* Facial Mask are required for all services.)

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