SLS 16RS-2154 ORIGINAL
2016 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 149
BY SENATOR THOMPSON
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the passing of B. Lehman Williamson.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 death of B. Lehman Williamson.
4 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the citizens of Louisiana
5 learned of the death of B. Lehman Williamson on September 4, 2015; and
6 WHEREAS, B. Lehman Williamson was born on August 19, 1935, to Willie Alonzo
7 Williamson and Irma Tidwell Carter; and
8 WHEREAS, Mr. Williamson graduated from Bastrop High School in 1953, and
9 earned state Golden Gloves boxing titles in Louisiana and Mississippi; and
10 WHEREAS, he continued to box while serving in the United States Navy during the
11 Korean War and, subsequently, sponsored the Tiger Boxing Club in Baton Rouge, an
12 organization established to afford young boxers an opportunity to participate in the sport;
13 and
14 WHEREAS, upon leaving the military, Mr. Williamson continued his education and
15 attended Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, New Jersey, and Southeastern Louisiana
16 University in Hammond; and
17 WHEREAS, at the time of his death, he was a retired lobbyist and owner of B.
18 Lehman & Associates specializing in public relations and association management; and
Page 1 of 3 SR NO. 149
SLS 16RS-2154 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, Mr. Williamson's clientele included the Louisiana Board of Veterinary
2 Medicine and the Louisiana Consumer Finance Association; and
3 WHEREAS, one of his favorite lobbying-related passions was opening the doors of
4 The Quorum Call across from the state capitol to afford legislators, lobbyists, and political
5 pundits a place to converse; and
6 WHEREAS, Mr. Williamson was a very civic-minded man and served on numerous
7 professional organizations and held several positions during his career, including Bank of
8 the South where he served as a founding member and a board member; and
9 WHEREAS, he served as president of the Louisiana Jaycees, was a member of the
10 Junior Chamber International Senate, was vice president for Development for Southeastern
11 Louisiana University, and was the director of the Louisiana Partners of the Americas
12 program; and
13 WHEREAS, in addition to a full career and family life, Mr. Williamson had a
14 passion for sports at Louisiana State University, taking pride in serving on the coaches
15 committee and as a season ticket holder for the baseball and football programs; and
16 WHEREAS, he was an avid reader of science fiction going back to the 1950s and
17 enjoyed studying genealogy and history, particularly World War II; and
18 WHEREAS, Mr. Williamson kept honey bees and large vegetable gardens, the fruit
19 of which he loved to share with friends, and he also loved caring for the many animals on
20 his farm which, over the years, included sheep, donkeys, goats, chickens, mules, peacocks,
21 guinea fowl, turkeys, horses, miniature ponies, and countless rescued dogs and cats; and
22 WHEREAS, he is survived by his loving wife of forty-four years, Gayle Kizer
23 Williamson; and four children, Willie E. Williamson, Ann M. Williamson, Lehman
24 Williamson Jr., and Barbara W. Reonas; five grandchildren, Chris P. Williamson, Matt B.
25 Williamson, Michael J. Williamson, Madeleine Ann Reonas, and Will Heaton Reonas; two
26 great-grandchildren, Annabelle Claire Williamson and Jackson Lee Williamson; and a
27 brother, Clifton P. Carter; and
28 WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Alonzo Williamson and
29 Irma Tidwell Carter; a brother, Clarence Harvey Williamson; a son, Michael L. Williamson,
30 and two grandchildren, Jacob Heath and Aaron Heath; and
Page 2 of 3 SR NO. 149
SLS 16RS-2154 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, with the death of B. Lehman Williamson, Louisiana has lost one of its
2 finest sons, a quintessential southern gentleman who loved his community and whose
3 accomplishments have left an indelible mark upon his community, state, and nation; and
4 WHEREAS, his passing has left a substantial void in the Baton Rouge community
5 and a sense of loss in the citizens whose lives he touched, and his memory shall live forever
6 in the minds and hearts of all those who knew and loved this remarkable gentleman.
7 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
8 does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of B. Lehman
9 Williamson, records for posterity his outstanding achievements, and extends enduring
10 appreciation for the tremendous pride and honor that he will forever bring to the Baton
11 Rouge community, the state of Louisiana, and the United States of America.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
13 family of B. Lehman Williamson.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Nancy Vicknair.
DIGEST
SR 149 Original 2016 Regular Session Thompson
Expresses condolences upon the death of B. Lehman Williamson.
Page 3 of 3