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'''Earl Guyton Williamson, Sr.''' (November 15, 1903 – December 9, 1992), was a prominent businessman and politician from the 1930s to the 1970s in Vivian in northern Caddo Parish in far northwestern [[Louisiana]]. He was originally affiliated with the Long faction within his state's dominant [[Democratic Party]] and was a personal friend of both [[Huey Long|Huey Pierce Long, Jr.]], and [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]].[1]

'''Earl Guyton Williamson, Sr.''' (November 15, 1903 – December 9, 1992), was a prominent businessman and politician from the 1930s to the 1970s in Vivian in northern Caddo Parish in far northwestern [[Louisiana]]. He was originally affiliated with the Long faction within his state's dominant [[Democratic Party]] and was a personal friend of both [[Huey Long|Huey Pierce Long, Jr.]], and Earl Kemp Long.[1]

==Williamson's ties to the Longs==

==Williamson's ties to the Longs==

Don Williamson served on the Caddo Parish School Board (1958–1968) and was a Louisiana state representative (1968–1972) and a state senator (1972–1980). He was an unsuccessful candidate for Louisiana insurance commissioner in 1979 and twice for mayor of Shreveport — 1982 and 1986.[8] Don Williamson recalled his father's friendship with both Huey and Earl Long. Williamson, then no more than six years of age, said that he can recall Huey Long, with his entourage, driving into Vivian, picking up Don's father, Earl Williamson, and heading to the racetrack in [[Hot Springs, Arkansas]]. He remembers his father going with Earl Long to Long's "pea-patch farm" home in Winnfield. Earl Williamson always stayed in the (former) governor's mansion during the Long administrations whenever he visited Baton Rouge. After the shooting of Huey Long in 1935, Earl Williamson rushed to [[Baton Rouge]] to be a part of what turned out to have been the death vigil of his fallen friend and political ally. Williamson said that some of these recollections were refreshed by family political stories.[9] Don Williamson said that he did not share his father's commitment to Longism, that he was more independent and reform-minded than his father and tried to look at issues and candidates on their merits without regard to overreaching factional or partisan concerns. Still, Don Williamson said that he understood how his father and others of that generation were attracted to Longism with its promise of homestead exemptions and populist programs.[10] Earl Williamson supported the States' Rights Party presidential nominee, then [[South Carolina]] [[Governor]] [[Strom Thurmond]], in 1948. Turmond was actually the official Democratic nominee in Louisiana. Don Williamson said that he believes his father voted for [[Barry Goldwater]] in  

Don Williamson served on the Caddo Parish School Board (1958–1968) and was a Louisiana state representative (1968–1972) and a state senator (1972–1980). He was an unsuccessful candidate for Louisiana insurance commissioner in 1979 and twice for mayor of Shreveport — 1982 and 1986.[8] Don Williamson recalled his father's friendship with both Huey and Earl Long. Williamson, then no more than six years of age, said that he can recall Huey Long, with his entourage, driving into Vivian, picking up Don's father, Earl Williamson, and heading to the racetrack in Hot Springs, [[Arkansas]]. He remembers his father going with Earl Long to Long's "pea-patch farm" home in Winnfield. Earl Williamson always stayed in the (former) governor's mansion during the Long administrations whenever he visited Baton Rouge. After the shooting of Huey Long in 1935, Earl Williamson rushed to [[Baton Rouge]] to be a part of what turned out to have been the death vigil of his fallen friend and political ally. Williamson said that some of these recollections were refreshed by family political stories.[9] Don Williamson said that he did not share his father's commitment to Longism, that he was more independent and reform-minded than his father and tried to look at issues and candidates on their merits without regard to overreaching factional or partisan concerns. Still, Don Williamson said that he understood how his father and others of that generation were attracted to Longism with its promise of homestead exemptions and populist programs.[10] Earl Williamson supported the States' Rights Party presidential nominee, then [[South Carolina]] [[Governor]] [[Strom Thurmond]], in 1948. Turmond was actually the official Democratic nominee in Louisiana. Don Williamson said that he believes his father voted for [[Barry Goldwater]] in  

the 1964 presidential election over the successful Democrat, [[Lyndon B. Johnson]], but unlike other Caddo Parish Democrats, such as state Senator Jackson B. Davis, who served from 1956 to 1980, and Sheriff J. Howell Flournoy, who openly endorsed Goldwater, Williamson remained officially silent. And in 1992, Earl Williamson wore a button and carried a placard while in his wheelchair for the independent presidential candidate [[Ross Perot]]. Don Williamson also recalled that his father, unlike most Democrats, strongly opposed U.S. President [[Harry Truman]]'s dismissal of General [[Douglas MacArthur]] from the [[U.S. Army]] command in the [[Korean War]].[11]

the 1964 presidential election over the successful Democrat, [[Lyndon B. Johnson]], but unlike other Caddo Parish Democrats, such as state Senator Jackson B. Davis, who served from 1956 to 1980, and Sheriff J. Howell Flournoy, who openly endorsed Goldwater, Williamson remained officially silent. And in 1992, Earl Williamson wore a button and carried a placard while in his wheelchair for the independent presidential candidate [[Ross Perot]]. Don Williamson also recalled that his father, unlike most Democrats, strongly opposed U.S. President [[Harry Truman]]'s dismissal of General [[Douglas MacArthur]] from the [[U.S. Army]] command in the [[Korean War]].[11]

==Running for Louisiana Public Service Commission==

==Running for Louisiana Public Service Commission==

Also in 1948, Earl Williamson waged an unsuccessful race for the Louisiana Public Service Commission. He polled enough votes to enter the Democratic runoff primary but withdrew because he believed that he was too far behind the frontrunner, Shreveport attorney Harvey Broyles, to close the gap. Broyles was a nephew of former Longite Governor Oscar Kelly Allen of Winnfield. This particular north Louisiana-based PSC seat would be taken in 1954 by the Long-backed [[John McKeithen|John Julian McKeithen]], a young attorney from Columbia in Caldwell Parish, and the future governor (1964–1972). In 1963, Mayor and Police Juror Earl Williamson would work actively for McKeithen's election as governor. Coincidentally, one of Don Williamson's Shreveport neighbors is a relative of Harvey Broyles.[13]

Also in 1948, Earl Williamson waged an unsuccessful race for the Louisiana Public Service Commission. He polled enough votes to enter the Democratic runoff primary but withdrew because he believed that he was too far behind the frontrunner, Shreveport attorney Harvey Broyles, to close the gap. Broyles was a nephew of former Longite Governor Oscar Kelly Allen of Winnfield. This particular north Louisiana-based PSC seat would be taken in 1954 by the Long-backed [[John J. McKeithen]], a young attorney from Columbia in Caldwell Parish, and the future governor from 1964 to 1972. In 1963, Mayor and Police Juror Earl Williamson would work actively for McKeithen's election as governor. Coincidentally, one of Don Williamson's Shreveport neighbors is a relative of Harvey Broyles.[13]

==A second family==

==A second family==