James Madison Williamson died Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010, at Promise Hospital of Vicksburg. He was 83.

Born in Wright City, Okla., Mr. Williamson had been a Vicksburg resident since 1965. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving 32 years and retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He also retired from International Paper Co. in 1985 after 39 1/2 years of service.

He attended the University of Southern Mississippi and was a member of Bowmar Baptist Church. He was a third-degree Mason.

He was preceded in death by two wives, Wandra Williamson Cooper and Kitty Williamson.

Survivors include his wife, Ovie Evans Williamson of Vicksburg; two sons, Robert Lee Williamson of Cecilia, Ky., and Paul Williamson of Sunset, Ark.; a stepson, Mike Evans of El Dorado, Ark.; one daughter, Joyce Marie Hilliard of Olive Branch; two stepdaughters, Carolyn Brewster and Brenda Stratton, both of El Dorado; a sister, Patsy Thompson of Camden, Ark.; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Glenwood Funeral Home with the Revs. Terry White and Billy Brumfield officiating. Burial will follow at Green Acres Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Richardson and members of the Bowmar Baptist Church Men’s Adult No. 5 Sunday school class.