John Orvin Williamson (1918 - 1980)

Born 25 Nov 1918 in Santa Rita, New Mexico

Ancestors

Husband of Leah Thelma (Davison) Williamson — married 13 Apr 1945 in Las Vegas, Nevada

Died 2 Nov 1980 at age 61 in Medford, Oregon

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Heather Brown [send private message]

Biography

John Orvin Williamson was the 11th child born to Charles Deroy and Flora Faye (Paddock) Williamson. He was born in Santa Rita, New Mexico--a town that was later swallowed up by the huge open pit Chino Copper Mine. He married Leah Thelma Davison on April 13, 1945 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He served in the Navy during World War II--the ship he was on was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and he spent over a week in a lifeboat before being rescued. After the war he and Leah moved to the little desert town of Yermo, California, where Johnnie (as he was known to family & friends)worked as a heavy equipment operator for the federal government until his retirement after a massive stroke in 1961. He then moved to Rogue River, Jackson County, Oregon and then to Medford, Jackson County, Oregon. He developed an interest in astronomy while living in the desert, spending many nights "star gazing" through the telescope that Leah bought him one Christmas. He also liked to "rock hound" and explore the desert and caves near their home. He developed an interest in gardening after moving to Oregon. He and Leah never had any children, but they were a delight to all of their neices & nephews.

Burial: Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery, Medford, Jackson County, Oregon, USA Plot: Garden of Honors, Grave 6

Sources

• Helen Brown, firsthand knowledge

• 1920 US Census, Santa Rita, Grant County, New Mexico

• 1930 US Census

• Find-A-Grave: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSsr=41&GSmcid=42686131&GRid=7839740&