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==Background==

==Background==

Williamson was born in Vivian in northern Caddo Parish to [[Earl Williamson]] and the former Mamie Greer (1904–1948). He attended public schools and graduated in 1946 from Vivian High School, later North Caddo High School. He attended the Methodist-affiliated Centenary Collge in Shreveport for a year. In 1945, while still in high school, he married his childhood sweetheart, the former Norma Herring of Vivian. They were wed for nearly fifty-seven years until her death of a sudden [[stroke]] in 2002. In 2003, when he retired from business, Williamson married the former Rachel Nelson Dunn, former wife of [[Forrest Dunn]], who like Williamson is a former Shreveport furniture store owner and a former Democratic member of the Caddo Parish School Board and the Louisiana House of Representatives (1976–1984). Dunn was later the administrator of the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport.[2]

Williamson was born in Vivian in northern Caddo Parish to [[Earl Williamson]] and the former Mamie Greer (1904–1948). He attended public schools and graduated in 1946 from Vivian High School, later North Caddo High School. He attended the Methodist-affiliated Centenary Collge in Shreveport for a year. In 1945, while still in high school, he married his childhood sweetheart, the former Norma Herring of Vivian. They were wed for nearly fifty-seven years until her death of a sudden [[stroke]] in 2002. In 2003, when he retired from business, Williamson married the former Rachel Nelson Dunn (1928-2022),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/obituaries/spt082938|title=Rachel Dunn Williamson obituary|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=November 10, 2022}}</ref> and educator and the former wife of [[Forrest Dunn]], who like Williamson was a former Shreveport furniture store owner and a former Democratic member of the Caddo Parish School Board and the Louisiana House of Representatives (1976–1984). Dunn was later the administrator of the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport.[2]

From 1949 to 1951, Williamson worked for General Electric in the building of the [[United States Navy]]'s atomic fusion plant in Schenectady, [[New York]]. This work made possible the nuclear-powered submarine advanced by Admiral [[Hyman G. Rickover]]. As he was engaged in essential civilian employment, he was deferred from the draft during the [[Korean War]].

From 1949 to 1951, Williamson worked for General Electric in the building of the [[United States Navy]]'s atomic fusion plant in Schenectady, [[New York]]. This work made possible the nuclear-powered submarine advanced by Admiral [[Hyman G. Rickover]]. As he was engaged in essential civilian employment, he was deferred from the draft during the [[Korean War]].

Returning to Vivian in 1951, Williamson purchased Vivian Drugs, later North Caddo Drugs. After several years, he went into the furniture business. His Vivian Furniture Company was renamed "Designer Showroom" in 1976, when the operation moved to Shreveport. The business is run by his two sons, Guy Clifford Williamson (born 1953) and Randall Whitfield "Randy" Williamson (born 1957).  

Returning to Vivian in 1951, Williamson purchased Vivian Drugs, later North Caddo Drugs. After several years, he went into the furniture business. His Vivian Furniture Company was renamed "Designer Showroom" in 1976, when the operation moved to Shreveport. The business is run by his two sons, Guy Clifford Williamson (born 1953) and Randall Whitfield "Randy" Williamson (born 1957).  

Two Williamson grandsons also work there: Cliff Williamson and William B. Rowe, III, a son of Williamson's daughter, Sherry Williamson Paschall (born 1948). The sons and grandsons are interior designers. Williamson also has two other grandchildren. And there is one living grown children from Rachel's marriage to Dunn: Linda Dunn Turner (born 1947) of [[Bossier City]]. Two other stepchildren are deceased, Robbie Jack Dunn (1949-2018) of Shreveport and James Forrest "Jimmy" Dunn (1958–1985), the victim of a deadly automobile accident in [[Oklahoma]]. [3]

Two Williamson grandsons have been employed there: Cliff Williamson and William B. Rowe, III, a son of Williamson's daughter, Sherry Williamson Paschall (born 1948). The sons and grandsons are interior designers. Williamson also has two other grandchildren. And there is one living grown children from Rachel's marriage to Dunn: Linda Dunn Turner (born 1947) of [[Bossier City]]. Two other stepchildren are deceased, Robbie Jack Dunn (1949-2018) of Shreveport and James Forrest "Jimmy" Dunn (1958–1985), the victim of a deadly automobile accident in [[Oklahoma]]. [3] Williamson was prior to his death divorced from his second wife, Rachel.

In addition to his furniture store, Willamson went into the [[real estate]] business in Vivian, a community of nearly four thousand. He played a major role in the development of the southern part of the town, which became the site of the area Wal-Mart and restaurant outlets. [4]

In addition to his furniture store, Willamson went into the [[real estate]] business in Vivian, a community of nearly four thousand. He played a major role in the development of the southern part of the town, which became the site of the area Wal-Mart and restaurant outlets. [4]