James Arnold Williamson, Retired Master Sergeant

Master Sergeant James Arnold (Jim) Williamson, U.S. Air Force Retired, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, May 19, 2017. Jim was a loving person who spent his entire life putting others before himself. He served for 22 years in the U.S. Air Force as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician, 20 years as a General Educational Development instructor for Montgomery Community College, as Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Troy, and a Volunteer Chaplain at FirstHealth Hospital from 2016 until his death.

Jim was born on February 22, 1955 to James Atlas and Marion Batten Williamson in North Island, California. Jim had a love of airplanes and flying which contributed along with his pride and love of his country to join the U.S. Air Force following his high school graduation from East Montgomery High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1973 until 1995, including during Operation Desert Storm/Shield.

After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, Jim returned to Biscoe, North Carolina, to be close to family. In retirement, Jim continued to serve selflessly in a different capacity. Jim served as a General Educational Development Instructor for Montgomery Community College from 1996 until 2016, often teaching the classes that nobody else wanted to teach. Jim taught GED classes for several years in Southern Correctional Institute in Troy, NC.

Jim had always had a dream of becoming a Chaplain. In 2016, this dream came true. Jim served as a Volunteer Chaplain for FirstHealth Hospital in Troy as well as Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Troy from 2016 until his death.

Jim also was a small scale farmer and enjoyed walking in the woods and being with family. He loved turtles and fishing.

Jim is survived by his loving and caring wife of 43 years, Carlene Rush Williamson, of the home; daughter, Carla R. Vickery and Peter, of Colorado Springs, CO; son, John A. Williamson and Elizabeth, of Candor; mother, Marion I. Batten Williamson, of Biscoe; sisters, Audrey C. McDowell and Bobby of Raeford and Barbara E. Hayes of Seagrove. He also has two granddaughters, Lily Vickery and Rosemary Vickery of Colorado Springs, Co.

Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church, located at 1182 NC Highway 109 North in Troy on Monday, May 22, 2017, at 2:00 pm with the Reverend William A. Saunders officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Biscoe Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1:00 – 1:45 pm at the church prior to the service and other times at the family home in Biscoe.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Jim’s memory to First United Methodist Church, 516 Wallace Avenue, Apt. 13 A, Troy, NC 27371.