MERL WILLIAMSON, 83, of Crown City, Ohio, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, January 27, 2020, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Born November 22, 1936, in Ranger, W.Va., a son of the late Linzie and Garnett Williamson, Merl was a member of Salem United Baptist Church, Wayne, W.Va., a veteran of the U.S. Army, and a retiree of Huntington Steel & Supply Company, Huntington, W.Va. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one brother, Dillard Williamson, and a sister, Jewell McComas.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 61 years, Jessie Steele Williamson, whom he married on May 30, 1959, in East Lynn, W.Va.; their children, Donna (John) Schall and Sandra (David) Gillenwater, both of Crown City, Ohio; Pam Williamson of Columbus, Ohio; Gene Williamson, Ron (Monica) Williamson, and Wendy (Joe) Yates, all of Pensacola, Fla.; 10 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Also surviving are seven sisters, Imogene Queen Wiley, Marie Perry, Garnett Kirk, Esta Caldwell, Chloe Finley, Hope Maynard, Helen Wall, and Jody Dummitt; one brother, Noah Williamson; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral service will be held at noon on Friday, January 31, 2020 at Salem United Baptist Church with Elder Roger Maynard officiating.  Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5 -7 p.m. Thursday at Johnson Tiller Funeral Home.