Paul E. Williamson

Livestream of Funeral Service

Paul E. Williamson, known affectionately as Papa, passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at the Baptist Memorial Hospital of North MS in Oxford, MS. He was born on May 11, 1934, Columbus, MS to the late Emmitt Dalton Williamson and Mary Electra Coleman Williamson.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, with a visitation beginning at 2:00 p.m. until service time at 3:00 p.m. in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home. The interment will take place at Magnolia Cemetery in Batesville following the funeral service.

Papa led a fulfilling life dedicated to his work and his family. He honorably served in the U.S. Navy and later pursued a career in demolition with the Memphis Wrecking Company. His love for working was evident to all who knew him.

Aside from his professional endeavors, Papa's true joy came from being surrounded by his loved ones. A devoted family man, he cherished every moment spent with his relatives and showed them unwavering love and support. His kindness and caring nature touched the hearts of all who came into contact with him.

In his leisure time, Papa found solace in simple pleasures like fishing, playing billiards, and exploring new destinations through travel. These hobbies brought him immense joy and allowed him to create cherished memories with those he held dear.

Papa will be deeply missed by his surviving family members and friends. His memory will live on in their hearts forever.

The surviving family he leaves behind includes his wife, Dolly Williamson of Batesville, MS; two daughters, Paula Dawn Hasleton of Batesville, MS, and Cyndi Johnson (Jay) of Batesville, MS; his son, Steven Williamson (Carol) of Collierville, TN; three sisters, Dorothy McCalman of Memphis, TN, Barbara Carter of Iuka, MS, and Linda Brigance (Jerry) of Iuka, MS; 9 grandchildren, Colin Havens, Ashley Havens, Victoria Havens Wilbanks, Alexx Havens, Christine Williamson, Christal Williamson, Jacey Gossett, Culley Johnson, and Gaddie Mulkey; and 7 great grandchildren.

A tribute to Papa, describing him perfectly, written by one of his granddaughters… 

This year is starting to feel like it should be titled—Our Loss, Heaven’s gain— my precious Papa went Home to be with Jesus yesterday morning. We just celebrated his 90th birthday last month and this year was his 70th wedding anniversary with my Nina. If you knew my Papa—he was your Papa too. The memories I have are so full of love, an unconditional love that only a Papa has. He was my #1 fan, never missed a ball game, never met a stranger and made sure they knew every accomplishment his kids/grandkids/great grandkids had done. He was the king of singing little catchy tunes in the car, playing pool, road trip games, fishing, weekly dinner dates, and how he loved to negotiate a deal with someone! He fought a long, hard race, and I know he was tired. I will cherish the memories I have of him and my heart has peace knowing his body is completely renewed and he went to his heavenly Home. I will see you again one day! Love you Papa