Obituary of James Wilmot Williamson

COLUMBIA—Service for James "Billy" Wilmot Williamson III, 74, of Columbia, SC will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at First Baptist Church of Columbia (Boyce Chapel) followed by a graveside service at Southland Memorial Gardens. Minister Dennis Banks, of First Baptist Church, will perform the service. Mr. Williamson died Saturday, August 3, 2013 at his home. Born on January 6, 1939 in Columbia, SC, he was the son of the late James "Hook" Wilmot Williamson, Jr. and Gladys Hutto Williamson. During his youth, Mr. Williamson was a member of First Baptist Church of West Columbia. He graduated from Brookland-Cayce High School in 1959 where he lettered in baseball. While in high school, he also earned the award of Eagle Scout. He then attended the University of South Carolina before serving in the Air National Guard during the Berlin Crisis. Mr. Williamson married Barbara Emogene Givens on October 19, 1961. As a family, they joined North Trenholm Baptist Church. He retired from Nabisco/Kraft Foods after 25 years. Billy, affectionately known as "B.B." by his grandchildren, was an avid Gamecock fan and was a scholarship donor to the University of South Carolina. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Emogene Givens Williamson of Columbia, SC; three children, Renee Williamson Clawson (Joey) of Boone, NC, Carol Williamson Moore (Craig) of Columbia, SC, Jason Waring Williamson (Mary Susan) of Cayce, SC; six grandchildren, Garrett, Chase, and Chandler Clawson, Trevor, Patrick, and Logan Moore; sister, Gay Williamson Laird (Joe) of West Columbia, SC; sister-in-law, Janet Givens Whitaker formerly of Orangeburg, SC; nephews Whit Whitaker, Greg Whitaker, and Bryant Laird; niece Ashley Amole and beloved cat "C.C.". In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Columbia, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or Hospice Care of Tri-County, 166 Stoneridge Drive #100, Columbia, SC 29210.