Individual Details

Donald Wadsworth Williamson

(May 7, 1907 - June 11, 1978)

"Donald Wadsworth Williamson was named after two friends of his father, one a physician and it seems to me, the other a lawyer. Daddy had the most brilliant memory of any person I have ever known. To say Donald W. Williamson believed in a good education would be very much an understatement. Until it was discovered that Daddy had very bad eyes, about 12 years old, it was felt that he could not learn. From that time it took Daddy about 6 years to finish grade and high school. Daddy attended Duffee and Suqualena Public Schools and graduated from Newton County Agricultural High School. During this time he also went North trying to find work, about 1925 and again in 1927, and stayed for a period of time. Daddy coached Aunt Lena and Aunt Tommie in High School Basketball at Laurel Hill High School. Aunt Lena graduated from Laurel Hill High School in 1933 and Aunt Tommie graduated from Barnes High School in 1934. Aunt Willie Tommie Williamson Alfonso and Aunt Lena Lucille Williamson Byrd went to Newton County Agricultural Jr. College, in fact both were outstanding basketball players, making the All-State Jr. College team. Dr. R. C. Pugh, head of Newton County Agricultural High School, was of outstanding encouragement to Daddy during this time and there after. Ironically, Dr. Pugh as President of Northwest Jr. College in 1950-1952 while I attended that Institution. A wonderful gentleman was Dr. R. C. Pugh. Around 1929 Daddy attended Maryville College Tennessee and attempted to go to Cumberlin Tennessee Law School, one of the best in the South, closed now. Uncle Charles stayed with Daddy and attended Maryville College at this time. Donald W. Williamson attended Jackson School of Law in 1938 for less than a year and had to stop going due to lack of money. Daddy attempted twice to go to Medical School and three times he attempted to go to Law School. Financial survival seemed always to blunt each attempt. You must realize there was no money in Mississippi in the lat 1920's and 1930's. Barter of goods was a necessity to survival. While Daddy and Mother lived at Mississippi Southern going to school, Aunt Tommye and Aunt Lena lived with them for awhile and attended Southern. Donald W. Williamson, Sr. had not scholorships, no financial help of any sort, only a burning desire to educate himself and guts to try. In the end, Daddy had two Bachelor Degrees, one Master Degree, a Law Degree, and lacked only some basic paper work in getting his Doctor of Science. My Mother, Ruth Beatric Doss Williamson, taught school from 1938 to 1958, as children would permit. I can remember her cooking 3 meals a day, with a child in diapers, teaching school. From 1927 until 1952 Daddy had a variety of jobs such as: Foundry worker, Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., Steel Mill Worker, Brush Salesman, Bible Salesman, Insurance Salesman, Road Surveyor, Farmer, Lumber Mill, Spice Salesman, Carpenter, Tutor, Welder in Shipyards, Defence Plants, Airplane Pilot Instructor, Coach, Speaker at various functions, and Teacher at various High Schools and Colleges. Daddy and myself graduated the same week from different colleges." (William A. Williamson, Greenville, Mississippi, 30 December 1978.)





Information about the family of Donald Wadsworth Williamson was taken from the Williamson Family Bible, other documents, and self knowledge.

Events

BirthMay 7, 1907Days Mill, Newton County, Mississippi
MarriageJanuary 15, 1932Carthage, Leake County, Mississippi - Ruth Beatrice Doss
DeathJune 11, 1978Meridian, Lauderdale County, Mississippi
BurialJune 14, 1978Dossville Cemetery, Leake County, Mississippi

Families