George Williamson

George Williamson, 79, of Prescott passed away Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at Greater Regional Hospice Home in Creston.

Celebration of life services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at Pearson Family Funeral Service and Cremation Center, 809 W. Montgomery St., in Creston with the Rev. Mary O'Riley officiating. Visitation will be open to the public from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Bohemian National Cemetery in Prescott. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

George Lavern Williamson was born in Adams County on April 18, 1938, to Harry and Nellie (Kosar) Williamson. He graduated from Country School - Colony Township No. 3. George enlisted in the United States Navy on Feb. 1, 1955, and served as a Seaman Third Class - repair division on the aircraft carrier USS Boxer during Operation Hardtack, a series of 35 nuclear tests in Bikini Atoll and Enewetak in the Western Pacific. He was honorably discharged April 17, 1959.

After returning from the service, George worked for Reutzel Construction in Fremont, Nebraska, installing natural gas pipeline. On January 8, 1961, he married Connie Gibson and for several years, with their two small children, they traveled throughout Nebraska, New Mexico, Kansas, South Dakota and Minnesota with the pipeline crew.

In 1966, George returned to his roots and purchased the 80-acre family farm, just south of Williamson, to provide a more settled life for his wife and children. George was an attentive steward to the rich Iowa soil, working as a hired man during the day and attending to his own farm at night. He spent nearly 40 years building farm fence throughout southwest Iowa and had the good fortune of a longer list of customers than the weather would allow completion of each year. His signature, customized corners can be found along many roadsides to this day. In 2010, the George and Connie Williamson family farm was awarded Century Farm distinction at the Iowa State Fair. This was a moment of tremendous pride in George’s life.

His only hobby was dirt track racing. For nearly 50 summers of Saturday nights, he could be found in the stands at Corning, and in 2015, George was inducted into the Adams County Speedway Hall of Fame.

George was a member of the American Legion – Williamson Post 719.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Connie and his brother-in-law Art Driskill.

George will be remembered forever, for his infectious smile, his honesty, his work ethic, his trademark bib overalls and his love of family and friends. George is survived by his son, Tracy (Sherri) of Delavan, Wisconsin; his daughter, Terri (Rita) of Peoria, Arizona; two granddaughters, Jenna of Ashburn, Virginia, and Hanna of Delavan, Wisconsin; his sister, Mary (John) Kline; brother Richard; sister Rose Beaman and sister-in-law Laurel (Steve) Conley. He is also survived by countless friends (his “chosen family”), who made his life so much richer.