Changes

== Early years, self-education, family==

== Early years, self-education, family==

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 – 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 [[Don Williamson|Donald Wayne "Don" Williamson]], 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 – 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 – 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]

On August 3, 1922, Williamson wed the former Mamie A. Greer (February 28, 1904 – 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]