SLS 20RS-17 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 5
BY SENATOR PEACOCK
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of former legislator, community
leader, and Shreveport businessman, Don Williamson.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the passing of the
3 Honorable Donald Wayne "Don" Williamson, to acknowledge his lifelong
4 commitment to public service, and to note his many contributions made on behalf
5 of the state of Louisiana.
6 WHEREAS, it is with deep remorse that the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of
7 the death of businessman and former legislator, Don Williamson of Shreveport, who passed
8 away on Sunday, November 10, 2019, at the age of ninety-two; and
9 WHEREAS, Don Williamson was an extraordinarily kind gentleman who led a
10 well-balanced life as a public servant, businessman, and devout Christian; and
11 WHEREAS, Don embodied the best qualities of a public servant; he held a genuine
12 interest in the people he served and felt a personal responsibility to represent all of his
13 constituency with honesty and integrity; and
14 WHEREAS, he served in both local and state offices as a member and president of
15 the Caddo School Board and served in both houses of the Legislature of Louisiana; and
16 WHEREAS, while serving as school board president in the 1960s, Don Williamson
17 navigated the turbulent times that occurred during the court-ordered desegregation process;
18 his tact was to treat all citizens fairly while preserving the integrity of district schools; and
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1 WHEREAS, he served with unwavering dedication as a member of the Louisiana
2 House of Representatives from 1968 until 1972 representing the concerns of District One
3 in Caddo Parish; and
4 WHEREAS, Williamson joined the group of young reform-minded legislators called
5 the "Young Turks" who demanded sweeping changes from the status quo; and
6 WHEREAS, during his service in the legislature, Representative Williamson
7 garnered assignments to the House standing committees on education, ways and means,
8 enrollment, and public works and institutions; and penned meaningful legislation to create
9 Louisiana Public Broadcasting, to establish the Northwestern Louisiana Rehabilitation
10 Hospital, and to reorganize vocational education; and
11 WHEREAS, in 1972, he ran for the seat in Senate District 39 and served for eight
12 years; his honest reputation garnered legislative assignments to Senate committees on
13 commerce, education, health and welfare (as chairman and vice chairman), retirement, and
14 the Joint Committee on Education (as chairman); and
15 WHEREAS, during his tenure in the Senate, legislation was passed that changed
16 Louisiana State University Shreveport from a two-year academic program to a four-year
17 undergraduate degree-granting institution, advanced career education, established the
18 Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Commission, provided mobile voter registration
19 offices in the parishes of Caddo and DeSoto, created the Louisiana State University Health
20 Sciences Center-Shreveport, ratified the Red River Compact and the Caddo Lake Compact,
21 and established protection procedures for nursing home patients; and
22 WHEREAS, born into a family that was heavily involved in local politics; Donald
23 Wayne Williamson was the son of Earl Williamson and the former Mamie Greer; he
24 attended Vivian High School where he met and married his sweetheart, Norma Jean Herring;
25 theirs was a Christian home filled with love and laughter for nearly fifty-seven years until
26 her passing in 2002; and
27 WHEREAS, in 1946, he attended Centenary College for a year before beginning
28 employment at General Electric in Schenectady, New York, in conjunction with the United
29 States Navy atomic fusion plant; and
30 WHEREAS, in 1951, Don returned to Vivian to begin his business enterprises that
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1 consisted of a drug store, furniture store, and several real estate developments; his business
2 acumen led to expanded business ventures throughout Shreveport and Caddo Parishes; and
3 WHEREAS, Don served his community through his participation in fraternal and
4 nonprofit organizations as president of the chapter of Lions Club International of Vivian, a
5 32nd Degree Mason in the Vivian Masonic Lodge #38, and a member of the Downtown
6 Shreveport Rotary Club; and
7 WHEREAS, Don Williamson experienced both success and failure in election
8 campaigns, however he was never discouraged by the losses because he felt it was his civic
9 and Christian duty to serve and to improve the circumstance of his fellow man; and
10 WHEREAS, at First Baptist Church of Shreveport, Don actively served as a deacon,
11 Sunday School teacher, and mentor to others in the congregation professing his faith and
12 security in God's love and mercy; and
13 WHEREAS, he is survived by his daughter, Sherry Williamson Paschall (John) and
14 sons, Guy Williamson (Pam), and Randy Williamson (Gayle); his sister, Jean Bright;
15 brothers, Clayton Williamson (Nette) and Ted Williamson (Connie); six grandchildren and
16 six great-grandchildren, extended family and a host of friends; and
17 WHEREAS, Don Williamson was a singular individual with a generous nature,
18 blessed with an abundance of determination and skills; he performed his public service
19 proudly and willingly; he extended courtesy to all; and he leaves a rich and unique legacy
20 of good works to his family, community, and state.
21 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
22 express its sincere condolences upon the passing of the Honorable Donald Wayne "Don"
23 Williamson, former legislator and Shreveport businessman and does hereby acknowledge
24 his lifelong commitment to public service.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
26 daughter, Sherry Williamson Paschall.
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
SCR 5 Original 2020 Regular Session Peacock
Expresses condolences upon the death of former legislator and Shreveport businessman,
Don Williamson.
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