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