Final Salute

Dr. Norman L. Williamson, 85, of Naples FL, passed away February 2nd, while residing at the Chateau at Moorings Park.
He was born on February 27, 1935, to James Williamson Jr. and Martha Grace Fogle in Columbus, OH. As a boy, he liked to listen to Buckeye games on the radio with his Dad and enjoyed his Mom’s great cooking; also riding bikes with his friends.
Norm graduated high school as a cadet from Valley Forge Military Academy. He often told of how he was disciplined to the point of being able to bounce a quarter off the end of his tightly made bed and being able to see his own reflection in his well shined boots. He was also a member of the motorcycle brigade which often participated in Philadelphia city parades.
He attended Penn State University where he earned his B.S in Mining Engineering where he was also a proud Delta Tau Delta fraternity brother. He then furthered his studies at West Virginia University where he earned his M.S and Ph. D in Geology and was a member of the National Honors Society. His thesis was on the Geology of the Shinnston West Virginia landscape and mapmaking. His Dissertation was in the depositional environments of the Pocono formation in Southern West Virginia.
Norm was honorably discharged from the US Navy in 1963 after completing his call to duty as a Naval Engineer. He spent his time as a SeaBee in the Naval Construction Battalion in Antarctica where he did prolific studies of mining into the deep ice. His work was instrumental in the construction of the first naval air strip at McMurdo Sound Base. The first of its kind in Antarctica. He was a very patriotic and proud veteran. He shared pocket sized copies of the Constitution with his children and grandchildren.
Norm married his bride Barbara Braun on December 28th, 1957 in the chapel at Valley Forge. This past year, they reached their 63rd wedding anniversary. They brought three boys into the world, Kevin, Kyle, and Kraig. He wanted his boys to go to church, have good work ethic, and respect others, especially their Mom. Norm took a lot of pride in being a faithful provider for the family and someone to whom you could count upon. He had great faith, a strong will, and a timely sense of dry humor that was unlike any other.
He was president of a family-owned business Williamson Industries Inc., in Fairmont WV, leading teams and working in construction management as a mining engineer, specializing in vertical mine shafts. Later in life, he was a Professor of Engineering and Construction Management, teaching in Universities in Wisconsin, California, and Florida. A historic photograph of the early years of Williamson Shaft Contracting, which originated in Scotland, can be found in the Fairmont Museum of Mining in West Virginia.
He enjoyed hiking and being out in nature to observe the multitude of rock formations and was an inspiration to his children which gave them a deep appreciation for the natural world. Visiting both state and national parks, and attending summer camps, were a big part of family life in the summertime. He was also a big football fan and he loved dancing with his wife. He was an avid volunteer in the Episcopal church and acted as senior warden of the vestry at Christ Church in Fairmont. He was most recently a member of St. Monica’s church.
Norm is survived by his wife Barbara, sons, Kevin (Andrea), Kyle (Heather), Kraig (Amy), six grandchildren, Hannah (John), Matthew (Brittney), Sarah, Hunter, Michael, Ian, and one great-grandchild Hudson. He also left his niece, Vicki, and two nephews, Greg, and Brian.
He was preceded in death by his father James Jr., and mother, Grace, and his brother James III.
Celebration of Life Services will be scheduled at a future date at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church in Naples.
Memorials or donations may be made to Avow Hospice Inc. 1095 Whipporwill Lane Naples FL 34105. (239) 261-4404. They did a wonderful job supporting and helping to care for him.
Published on February 19, 2021