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|children=From first marriage:<br>

|children=From first marriage:<br>

Earl G. Williamson, Jr.<br>

Earl G. Williamson, Jr.<br>

James Whitfield Williamson<br>

[[James Whitfield Williamson]]<br>

Donald W. "Don" Williamson<br>

Donald W. "Don" Williamson<br>

David Williamson<br>

David Williamson<br>

Williamson was born in tiny Carthage in Leake County in central [[Mississippi]] near the larger city of Kosciusko, to John and Mary Bertha Williamson. When his father died, Earl, went to work as a laborer to help support his mother and siblings. He was self-educated, even in the field of law. "He was always reading, studying, he was a great speaker and his English diction was perfect," recalled Donald Wayne "Don" Williamson (born 1927), one of his seven children and the one who established a lengthy political career of his own. For a time, the Vivian attorney Jasper K. Smith (June 20, 1905 &ndash; May 18, 1992), a subsequent member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, tutored Williamson and others in the law. Though Williamson never became a lawyer himself, his legal studies proved invaluable in the three political offices, two elected and one appointed, which he held.[2]

Williamson was born in tiny Carthage in Leake County in central [[Mississippi]] near the larger city of Kosciusko, to John and Mary Bertha Williamson. When his father died, Earl, went to work as a laborer to help support his mother and siblings. He was self-educated, even in the field of law. "He was always reading, studying, he was a great speaker and his English diction was perfect," recalled Donald Wayne "Don" Williamson (born 1927), one of his seven children and the one who established a lengthy political career of his own. For a time, the Vivian attorney Jasper K. Smith (June 20, 1905 &ndash; May 18, 1992), a subsequent member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, tutored Williamson and others in the law. Though Williamson never became a lawyer himself, his legal studies proved invaluable in the three political offices, two elected and one appointed, which he held.[2]

On August 3, 1922, Williamson wed the former Mamie A. Greer (February 28, 1904 &ndash; July 9, 1948). In addition to Don Williamson, they had three other sons: Earl G. Williamson, Jr. (born 1923), James Whitfield Williamson (June 12, 1925 &ndash; November 15, 2008),[3] and David Williamson (born 1930) of Orange, [[Florida]], and a daughter, Velma Jean Williamson Bright (born 1932) of Longview, [[Texas]]. Williamson joined the United States Army Air Corps after World War I ended, and he learned to be a pilot. Thereafter, he and a brother-in-law, Joe Greer, entered the crop-dusting business. After living for a time in [[Memphis]], [[Tennessee]], Williamson relocated his family to Vivian, north of [[Shreveport]], where there was a demand for crop dusting. Thereafter, he became the Chevrolet dealer in Vivian and successfully operated Williamson Motors for several decades.[4]

On August 3, 1922, Williamson wed the former Mamie A. Greer (February 28, 1904 &ndash; July 9, 1948). In addition to Don Williamson, they had three other sons: Earl G. Williamson, Jr. (born 1923), [[James Whitfield Williamson]],[3] and David Williamson (born 1930) of Orange, [[Florida]], and a daughter, Velma Jean Williamson Bright (born 1932) of Longview, [[Texas]]. Williamson joined the United States Army Air Corps after World War I ended, and he learned to be a pilot. Thereafter, he and a brother-in-law, Joe Greer, entered the crop-dusting business. After living for a time in [[Memphis]], [[Tennessee]], Williamson relocated his family to Vivian, north of [[Shreveport]], where there was a demand for crop dusting. Thereafter, he became the Chevrolet dealer in Vivian and successfully operated Williamson Motors for several decades.[4]

During World War II, Williamson worked for a time at the ammunition plants in [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish, and in Karnack, Texas. James Williamson recalled that his father drove a nine-passenger Chevrolet station wagon to and from the plant to provide transportation for other workers as well as himself. It was in part Williamson's way of supporting the war effort, James Williamson said. Don Williamson also noted that the dealership was losing money during World War II, and Earl Williamson had little choice but to work outside the business. James Williamson also recalled his father as a "humorous person who could tell jokes and draw crowds."[5]

During World War II, Williamson worked for a time at the ammunition plants in [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish, and in Karnack, Texas. James Williamson recalled that his father drove a nine-passenger Chevrolet station wagon to and from the plant to provide transportation for other workers as well as himself. It was in part Williamson's way of supporting the war effort, James Williamson said. Don Williamson also noted that the dealership was losing money during World War II, and Earl Williamson had little choice but to work outside the business. James Williamson also recalled his father as a "humorous person who could tell jokes and draw crowds."[5]

==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]

==As regional highway director==

==As regional highway director==

In 1948, when Earl Long returned to the governorship after having decisively defeated former anti-Long Governor [[Sam Houston Jones]] of [[Lake Charles]], Williamson was named the director of highways for the Fourth Congressional District. He was actually offered the state highway directorship, which would have required relocation to Baton Rouge, but instead accepted the Shreveport-based position because of Mrs. Williamson's declining health at the time. Williamson hence simultaneously promoted state highway development through his appointed position as he did parish road building and grading through his part-time police jury duties. In 1952, when Earl Long was succeeded as governor by the anti-Long [[Robert F. Kennon|Robert Floyd Kennon]] of Minden, Williamson tendered his resignation as highway director to allow the new governor to choose his own appointee.[12]

In 1948, when Earl Long returned to the governorship after having decisively defeated former anti-Long Governor [[Sam Houston Jones]] of [[Lake Charles]], Williamson was named the director of highways for the Fourth Congressional District. He was actually offered the state highway directorship, which would have required relocation to Baton Rouge, but instead accepted the Shreveport-based position because of Mrs. Williamson's declining health at the time. Williamson hence simultaneously promoted state highway development through his appointed position as he did parish road building and grading through his part-time police jury duties. In 1952, when Earl Long was succeeded as governor by the anti-Long [[Robert F. Kennon]] of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], Williamson tendered his resignation as highway director to allow the new governor to choose his own appointee.[12]

==Running for Louisiana Public Service Commission==

==Running for Louisiana Public Service Commission==