Lewis E. Williamson

Lewis E. Williamson died on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage, IA.

Lewis E. Williamson

Lewis “Louie” Everet Williamson was born November 19, 1922 to Raymond and Lavina (Hamer) Williamson at his maternal grandparent’s family farm near Eagle Grove, Iowa. He was the oldest of four siblings – Lela (Trehearne), Clarence, and Donny. He graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1940. He moved to Los Angeles, CA where he worked at Douglas Aircraft assembling fighter planes for World War II until he was drafted into the Army. He served in England, France, and Germany reaching the rank of Master Sargent before his discharge at the end of the War.

In 1947, Louie and his father responded to an ad placed in the Eagle Grove newspaper by an Osage realtor. After looking at farms in the Stacyville and Riceville area, they decided on a farm located south of LeRoy on the Oakdale Road. On November 6, 1960, he experienced a life-threatening incident with the power take-off while unloading ear corn into the crib. In one day, over twenty neighbors harvested the remaining 61 acres, while four neighboring women provided lunches and meals. Louie often mentioned how lucky he was to make the right choice and live where neighbors were so willing to help each other. He farmed south of LeRoy until he “retired” at age 65. While farming, he worked at Oliver in Charles City for ten years.

Louie and family moved into LeRoy in 1971. After retirement, he continued to work part time at LeRoy John Deere, LeRoy Elevator, and for local farmers. He delivered trucks for McNeilus across the United States until he was 84. He survived three heart attacks – the first being a triple bypass in Atlanta, GA at age 72. He was with a crew delivering McNeilus cement trucks for the 1996 Olympics.

He was a member of the LeRoy Presbyterian Church and member of the LeRoy American Legion for 66 years.

Louie had a purpose driven Life. He was passionate about farming, fishing and 500. He enjoyed fishing locally and making annual fishing trips to South Dakota. He was well known for his skills at any 500 table especially at the Senior Citizen Center playing for the Cancer Telethon. He was a master at gardening, canning, and harvesting and preparing black walnuts. His homemade apple pies and oatmeal raisin cookies were infamous. He had zero tolerance for dandelions in his yard.

Louie was handsome, quick-witted, and kind-hearted. His laughter lit up the room. Helping others was easy for him. He drove neighbors to their clinic appointments using his vehicle at no cost to them because he felt they had enough to worry about. He hosted the 3 o’clock coffee hour with his neighbors without him knowing they were subtly keeping track of him. He spoke fondly of the people of LeRoy and how happy he was living in LeRoy. He rarely sat still, and everyone joked he was hard to keep up with even in his 90’s. At age 99, Louie was able to live in his home until the end of July of this year.

Louie will be remembered as a wonderful father, father-in-law, grandfather, good neighbor and good friend. He loved the time he spent with his family and friends along with fish frys, fireworks on the farm, grandkids sporting events, his birthday and Christmas celebrations in LeRoy, driving the golf cart, and family reunions with the Williamsons, Sheets, and Castors.

It was a life well lived. Louie was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, his first wife Buelah Sheets, his second wife Phyllis Castor, son Ronald Virgil Williamson, grandson Trevor James Williamson, and daughter-in-law Shirley Williamson.

Louie is survived by children Sue (Mark) Underdahl of Byron , MN, Rita (Lee) Dvorak of Riceville, IA, Robert (Kris) Williamson of Osage, IA, Luanne (granddog Ripley) Cunningham of Evansdale, IA; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren .

Funeral services for Louie will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 7, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church in LeRoy with Pastor John Kerr officiating. Burial with military rights will follow at the LeRoy Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, November 6th at Hindt Funeral Home in LeRoy and will continue from 10-11 a.m. on Monday at the church.