Clayton Williamson

Thomas Clayton Williamson, Sr., 91, of Fremont, died Sunday, March 17, 2024.

Funeral, Saturday, March 23, 11:00 AM, Wilson Memorial Service, Wilson, followed by a time of visiting and sharing at the funeral home before burial at Elmwood Cemetery, Fremont.

Clayton was born to George and Mae Williamson in Wilson County, NC in 1932. He moved with his parents and siblings to Memorial Church Road outside of Fremont, NC in 1951 and lived there for the rest of his life. A lifelong farmer, Clayton grew soybeans, corn, wheat, and tobacco for years and then remained busy raising chickens and cows. In his early years, he took care of his parents and helped with his younger siblings and nephews. 

He married Faye Reason in 1985 and soon they were joined by Jennifer and Thomas. Clayton loved to travel, and this family of four drove all over the eastern United States, usually with only a few hours to pack and plan. In his late 80s, he started traveling further by plane and went to Alaska, Canada, Maine, and Ireland when most people his age were slowing down.

Clayton was a gentle, humble, loving, caring, religious man who made people feel at ease. Although not one to talk much, he was always listening, observing and usually more aware than one might assume. He loved his family deeply, including the special role he played in the lives of many nieces and nephews, and he took great pride in his children and wife. He was later blessed with four grandsons who he loved to dance for and make laugh, and he was an admired and respected father-in-law.

He lived a life fuller than most and passed away peacefully- his time on earth complete- at his appointed time. 

Surviving is his wife, Faye Reason Williamson; daughter, Dr. Jennifer Jordan of Goldsboro; son, Dr. Thomas Clayton Williamson, Jr, of Jackson, MS; grandchildren, Davis (2 months), Andrew (3), and Thomas “Tate” Clayton Williamson III (7), and Rhett Jordan (1); sisters Velma Lancaster of Fremont and Darlene Bumgarner of East Bend; brothers, Harold Williamson of Fremont and G. C. Williamson of Kenly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mae Evans Williamson; sisters, Ola Johnson, Sylvia Hess, Joan Joyner, Ruth Jernigan.