Birth Date: 01/13/1951
Deceased Date: 04/15/2022
John Wilburn “Will” Williamson, of Wilsons Mills, 71, passed on Friday, April 15, 2022, at SECU Hospice House of Johnston Health, in Smithfield with his family by his side. He is survived by his loving wife Lucy “Lou” Williamson, sons Bryan (Anna) and Chris Stanley, grandson, Sutton.
Will is preceded in death by his parents, Wiley Kermit and Ralpha Boykin Williamson, sister, Shelby Jean Williamson Khoury, brothers, George Wiley and Robert Wendell Williamson.
Will grew up in Newport News, Virginia, where he attended Ferguson High School, and played baseball, basketball and football. After graduation, Will attended Staunton Military Academy to play football and was recruited to play baseball and basketball as well. After a football game between Staunton and East Carolina University, Will was recruited to the ECU Pirate football team. After leaving Greenville, Will lived with his cousin and dear friend Wiley Boyette for several years before heading back to Virginia. He loved sports, fishing and hunting, Atlantic Beach, and spending time with friends and family.
Over the years, Will continued to spend time with teammates, cousins, and lifelong friends he made along his short journey in life. You may have know him as Wilburn, Wilbur, Will, Brakes, or Dawgman.
Will worked many jobs, sometimes 2-3 at a time. Will’s work included Sportsville in Wilson, Newport News Shipbuilding, Coliseum Lincoln Mercury, Tidewater Police & Sportsman Supplies, Inc., Williamson Auction, North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, and he retired in 2014 from North Carolina Department of Transportation as Assistant Director.
Will extended his life in 2014 with a double lung transplant at Duke University. He lived 8 years and 1 day with his donor lungs.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to either Duke Health in support of the Lung Transplant Director’s Fund or SECU Hospice House of Johnston Health.
Donations to Duke Health Development, ATTN: Karen Turpin, Box 90581, Durham, NC 27708 or visit https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dukehealth/ to make a secure gift online.
Donations to SECU Hospice House of Johnston Health by check: Johnston Health Foundation, PO Box 1376, Smithfield NC 27577 or online at johnstonhealth.org
