Carl Williamson

Carl Williamson, 83, of Miami, passed away May 19, 2018 in Pampa.

Memorial graveside services will be 10:30 AM, Friday, May 25, 2018 at Miami Cemetery with Rev. Lewis Holland, officiating. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.

Carl Courtney Williamson was born March 2, 1935 in Hereford, Texas. He grew up in Miami, Texas and there developed the panhandle work ethic, honesty and sense of fair play that served his family, career, community and Country throughout his life. Carl graduated from Miami High School in 1953 and attended The University of Texas in Austin on scholarship where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1958. In Austin, he was president of two student organizations and was distinguished as both the outstanding intramural athlete and the outstanding mechanical engineering student of his graduating class.

He began a 45 year career in the aerospace and defense industry. He was selected and procured from his initial employer, McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis to work on the then fledgling Mercury Space Program at NASA in Florida. He then worked on an extensive variety of black, classified, and non-classified military and civilian programs advancing though the ranks as project engineer, department head, senior project engineer and program manager. He held numerous government security clearances, up to and including White House briefings and higher level operations; compartment level clearances for special projects, which, kindly put, remained off the books. He was a dedicated and talented problem solver, the one typically assigned extremely complex technical problems. One example was his being brought out of retirement by Boeing Aircraft in Renton, WA, to solve a major design flaw which was halting delivery of a large fleet of planes specially modified for a major international postal carrier. When the largest aircraft company in the World had a problem, they called Carl... It was solved and the planes were delivered and are flying.

Carl was married to Shirley I. Williamson, RN, for almost 57 years. They retired to Miami, Texas in 2000. They were major supporters of the town of Miami, the Miami Schools, and Roberts County. They regularly supported and attended Miami school activities and provided financial assistance and educational advice to any whom so asked. In 2002, Carl and Shirley received the Miami ISD Fans of the Year Award for their support of extracurricular activities. Carl was an advisor to the Miami High School Science Club, which advanced to the National Finals in Rocket Competition. He was well known for his generosity and sound advice to Miami students entering the larger parts of the World.  He also served as Miami Lions Club President and was a member of the Roberts County Historical Commission. Carl was also an author, writing the first historical record focused on the Eastern Panhandle, Caprock Country; Last Frontier of Texas, with support from fellow Roberts County resident, Mr. Boone Pickens. All proceeds from both books were donated to one of his favorite projects, the Miami Community Center.  Carl is survived by his wife, Shirley of the home; by his two sons, Jon Williamson and wife Tina of Coppell and Kelly Williamson of Miami; by a granddaughter, Kara Williamson of Dallas; by his two grandsons, Tyler Williamson of Houston and by Blaine Williamson of Coppell; and by numerous nieces and other extended family.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents; by his three sisters, Juanita Berbee, Betty Yoder, and by Dortha McDay.

Carl (Papa) will be missed deeply by his family and the many people, whose lives he was able to positively impact over the years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in honor of Carl Williamson to the Miami Community Center, PO Box 355, Miami, Texas 79059.