Former Defiance resident Roy E. Williamson, 84, Monclova, died July 11, 2009.
He was born July 27, 1924 in Continental, the son of Nelson G. "Shorty" and Naomi (Hammon)
Williamson.
Roy graduated from Defiance High School in 1942.
He served his country during World War II in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Ardennes Central
Europe. He received the American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with
five bronze stars and World War II victory medal. In 2001 he received the Belgian Croix De Guerre
Citation from France.
After the war he continued his education. He received his Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Defiance College
in 1949. He also did his graduate work in Louisville, Ky.
He started his 40-year teaching career in Celina. He also taught at Continental High School and Anthony
Wayne High School, Whitehouse, where he retired from public school teaching in 1978. He then went on to
teach part-time at Holy Spirit Seminary in Toledo until it closed. He later spent 13 years teaching
English at St. Ursula Academy in Toledo. During his teaching career he taught English, Speech and Drama.

His love of opera, the theater, drama and literature came out in the many plays he directed during his
career, some of which he wrote himself. He also performed in several plays. He gave his final
performance in 2002 in "The Man Who Came to Dinner" at the Roy Williamson Center for
Performing Arts at Anthony Wayne High School. He also was the announcer for the Anthony Wayne Generals
football team. During his retirement years he enjoyed traveling here and abroad, attending the Stratford
Shakespeare and Shaw Festivals each year. He also enjoyed many operas and symphonies in the Toledo area.
He regularly volunteered to read to the children in Whitehouse.
Roy was a member of the STRA, charter board member of the Whitehouse Library, American Legion Post 0384
in Whitehouse, VFW Post 3360 in Defiance, board member of the Waterville Playshop, Toledo Theater Rocks,
Toledo Opera Sponsor, Toledo Museum of Art, Stratford Shakespeare Festival of America and a large
contributor to the New York Metropolitan Opera.
He is survived by two brothers, Kenneth (Patricia) Williamson, Continental, and Robert Williamson,
Defiance; two sisters, Mrs. John (Alice) Snyder Jr. of Conneaut, Ohio, and Mrs. John (Ruth) Curl,
Defiance; sister-in-law Mrs. George (Josephine) Williamson, Defiance; the Larabee family and many nieces
and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, life partner David Larabee and his brother George Williamson.

A memorial service is being planned for Sunday, July 26, 2009 at the Roy Williamson Center for the
Performing Arts at Anthony Wayne High School beginning at 1:30. A private burial service will be on
Monday, July 27, 2009 at Riverside Cemetery, Defiance, with military honors by VFW Post 3360.
The family requests donations may be given to the Defiance College, David Larabee Scholarship Fund at
Ottawa Hills High School or the Whitehouse Library.
Arrangements by Peinert Funeral Home, Whitehouse.
www.peinertfuneralhome.com