Mr. Edward L. Williamson
Edward L. Williamson of Whiteville (and formerly of North Myrtle Beach) died on Sunday, February 10, 2013 in Columbus Regional Healthcare. He was born on June 6,1923 in Cerro Gordo, the son of the late C.E. Williamson, Sr. and Lillie McLelland Williamson. He was formerly married to the late Sara Benton Williamson and the lateGrace Edwards Williamson.
Ed grew up in Cerro Gordo as one of nine children, all of whom predeceased him. He attended undergraduate school at Wake Forest College where his education was
interrupted for a period of three years when he served with distinction in the U.S. Navy
in WWII. He returned to Wake and received his B.S. Degree in 1947 and later began his
legal education at Duke University Law School. As a Lt. Commander of the U.S. Naval Reserve, he was called into active service during the Korean War after his second year
in law school. After two years of service, he returned to Duke and graduated in 1953. He then returned to Columbus County to start what would become a distinguished legal
career.
He started out as a partner with the late J. Bruce Eure in Chadbourn and in 1956 opened a solo practice in Whiteville. In 1963, a partnership with Benton H. Walton, III was formed which has since grown into the law firm of Williamson, Walton & Scott, LLP,which includes Mr. Williamson's nephew, Greg Williamson, his son, Carlton, and C. Martin Scott II.
Mr. Williamson served as attorney for the Columbus County Schools, the City of Whiteville and general counsel for Southeastern Community College for over two decades. In 1995 he was inducted into the N.C. Bar Association General Practice Hall of Fame and in 2003 was recognized by the N.C. State Bar as a fifty year practicing attorney.
In 1959, Mr. Williamson served in the N.C. General Assembly as a member of theHouse of Representatives. In 1968, he served as a delegate from N.C. to theDemocratic National Convention in Chicago. He was an active member of the Whiteville United Methodist Church (WUMC), served on the board of trustees of Pembroke StateUniversity (now UNC-P) and was past president of the Chadbourn Rotary Club. He helped organize and served on the boards of Columbus National Bank (now PNC Bank through merger) and First Investors Savings & Loan (now First Citizens Bank through merger).
Despite his active law practice, Ed always found time for a friendly and spirited round of golf. Whether it was at the Surf Club in North Myrtle Beach, High Meadows CC inRoaring Gap, the Carolina CC in Raleigh, the Whiteville CC, or anywhere the NC Seniors Golf Assoc. was holding a tournament, he had a passion for the game. He was a proud, founding partner of Beachwood Golf Club in North Myrtle Beach in 1968.
He is survived by two sons, Edward L. (Ren) Williamson, Jr. and wife, Christina of Wilmington, Carlton F. Williamson and wife, Anne of Whiteville; stepdaughter, Lucilla E. Hudson and husband, John of Burleson, TX; five grandchildren, Alice C. Williamson ofPortland, OR, Van Williamson and wife, Emily of Winston-Salem, Christina Williamson of Atlanta, GA, Emily J. Williamson of Gainesville, FL, and Forrest Williamson of Mt. Pleasant, SC.
Mr. Williamson's service will be conducted Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 at 2:00 pm at the Whiteville United Methodist Church by Rev. Paul Stallsworth. The family will greet friends afterwards in the church fellowship hall. A private burial will be in the Whiteville Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Ed's name to the WUMC or the charity of the donor's choice.
On line condolences may be sent to www.peacockfuneralhome.net