Michael Henson Williamson, 86, of Panhandle, TX died Friday, June 23, 2023, in Katy, TX. “Mike” was born on July 29, 1936, to Lee and Ara Cass Williamson in San Angelo, Texas. He attended elementary school in Eden, Texas, and later moved to Big Spring, Texas where he graduated from Big Spring High School in 1954.
Mike attended Texas Technological College and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1958. He served in the US Army Active Duty Reserves and received an honorable discharge at the rank of Captain. After completing school, he worked as a Natural Gas Engineer with Magnolia Petroleum Company in Ulysses, Kansas. In January 1960, he worked as a mechanical engineer at Tinker Airforce Base in Oklahoma City, OK. In 1961, he began work as a mechanical engineer at the U.S. Bureau of Mines – Helium Operations in Amarillo, TX where he worked for 33 years until his retirement in 1994. He became a Registered Professional Engineer in Texas in 1964.
Mike was an extraordinary craftsman who enjoyed woodworking and metalwork. He made furniture, gifts, and tools. His favorite book was the Craftsman Tool Catalog. He frequently used his skills to help others re-shingle a roof or put in a sprinkler system. He also enjoyed camping, researching genealogy, and anything computer related. In 1958, Mike purchased a Chevrolet Pickup which he owned for over 60 years. He kept all of the original documents including the window sticker. In later years, he restored the truck to its original condition and enjoyed driving it to the Post Office in Panhandle, TX. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Panhandle.
Mike was a kind, gentle man who was full of gratitude, and he is greatly missed by his friends and family. He was preceded in death by his wife of 23 years, Dorothy Nell (Gregg) Williamson. Survivors include his son, Roger Williamson (Mary), of Mandeville, LA; daughter, Jana Gaddy (David), of Katy, TX; wife, Jo Ann Williamson, of Panhandle, TX; and his devoted grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and loving step-family.
Visitation will be at 9:00 am followed by a memorial service at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 30, 2023, at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Burial will be at Llano Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, 600 SW 11th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79101.
One of the most kind hearted, giving, true gentleman I’ve ever known. It was a privilege to know Mike, world is just not as good of place without him. Thank you for being a perfect gentleman, servant and model human being for my family and myself. Godspeed to you friend.
It is one of life’s small tragedies that a mere obituary cannot capture the breadth and depth of a man’s character, nor can it capture the love for his family and his friends. Mike and I met in 1954 at Texas Tech in pre-engineering classes, and remained inseparable throughout our studies there. We were in Army ROTC together and spent countless hours studying for those tough Mechanical Engineering Courses, Quizzes and Tests along with our friend Wylie Berry.
On one of Mike’s trips home to Big Spring, he fabricated (from scratch) three clipboards, faced with Formica, with a slot on the back carrying a built-in aluminum Tee- Square. He, Wylie and I used those clipboards throughout our studies; in fact, I still use mine quite often. The Tee-Square remains as square and true as Michael H. Williamson. Fortunately, we were able to graduate with our BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1958 and to pursue our careers.
Michael will be truly missed by his family I am sure, but moreover, he will be missed by his friends of old and new acquaintance. God’s blessing was and is to have a friend such as Michael H. Williamson.