Leon A. Williamson, 88, of Palestine, IL, died at 5:07 a.m. on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Magnolia Center in Robinson, IL. He was born August 8, 1930 in Hutsonville, IL, the son of Vincent C. Williamson & Ida (McCrory) Williamson, both of whom preceded him in death. He married Flora Ann Cline on November 6, 1953 and she preceded him in death on February 23, 1998. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Stanley Williamson, Floyd Williamson, and Edgar Williamson; by his sister, Edith Williamson; and by his grandson, Luke William England.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne Williamson (Palestine, IL); by his daughter & son-in-law, Kathryn Anne & Fred England (Vincennes, IN); by his sons & daughters-in-law, Randall Len & Lori Williamson (Annapolis, IL) and James L. & Esther Williamson (Minnetonka, MN); by his grandchildren, Benjamin & Sarah England, Kimberly England, Kurt Williamson, Kayla & Michael York, Vincent Williamson, and Tad Williamson; by his great-granddaughter, Norah Lu England; by a great-grandson, due December 7th; by his step-sons, Jerry Seifers (Indianapolis, IN) and Bruce & wife Phyllis Seifers (Newton, IL); by his brother & sister-in-law, Nolan & Scarlett Williamson (Hutsonville, IL); by his sister-in-law, Renie Williamson (Michigan City, IN); as well as several nieces and nephews.

Leon attended Burner School near Porterville and was a 1948 graduate of Robinson Township High School. At the age of 16, he started working for Case Pottery before entering the service in 1951. From then until his discharge in 1953, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a quartermaster stationed at the Panama Canal during the Korean War. Back home, he went back to work at the pottery, where he made his way up to the role of office supervisor. He would go on to work for Marathon Oil, where he worked as an accountant for 26 years before retiring in 1979. On the side, he helped J.E. and Jim Goodwine at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine and was also a well-known auctioneer. He enjoyed auctioneering for 12 years before poor health forced him to give it up. When he wasn’t working, chances were, he’d be playing music with the family band. Over the years, they played for countless local square dances and had a standing engagement every Monday night in Ste. Marie. He was a longtime member of Palestine Lodge #849 A.F. & A.M. A man of faith, he was also a longtime member of the Palestine First Christian Church and raised his family to know Christ. He was a loving husband, a proud father, and a doting grandfather to a family who now carries on his legacy of excellence in all things.

A time of visitation will be held from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28th at the funeral home with Rev. Paul Gray officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery, where military services will be conducted by the combined units of the Robinson V.F.W. Post #4549, the Robinson American Legion Post #69, and the Flat Rock American Legion Post #132. Memorials may be made to either the Palestine First Christian Church or to the Crawford Memorial Foundation, with envelopes available at the funeral home.

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