John Gilbert Williamson, 87, of El Paso, Texas, died May 18, 2026. Mr. Williamson was a 1957 De Soto High School graduate, earning varsity letters in football, track and baseball each year and was captain of the football team his senior year. He earned three state track meet medals. In 2018, he was inducted into the De Soto High School “Hall of Fame.” A 1961 Missouri State University graduate, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant from ROTC. After 20 years in the Army, he retired as a lieutenant colonel. While in the Army, he said his most rewarding tours were his HAWK Missile command tours in Germany, Vietnam and Korea. His final command was the Battalion Commander of the 1/65 HAWK Missile Battalion in Key West, Fla., and Fort Bliss, Texas. He also attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. His other domestic assignments included teaching ROTC at Harvard, a tour with the Inspector General based at the Presidio in California and finally teaching at the Air Defense Artillery School at Fort Bliss. He earned the Bronze Star for operations in Vietnam, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross and the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaves. He was a missionary for Ysleta Lutheran Mission in El Paso, Texas, and was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in El Paso as an elder and youth leader. He was known as an accomplished wood carver, carving birds, fish, whales and other subjects. Many of the crosses at Zion Lutheran Church were made by him, including a large cross at the Ysleta Lutheran Mission, where he volunteered for several years. He was a retired high school math teacher and, in his free time, loved fishing and photography. He also loved to run, especially with his troops under his command. Born Oct. 10, 1938, in Crystal City, he was the son of the late Lucille Yates Williamson and John B. Williamson.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years: Lucille Sommerer Williamson of El Paso, Texas; three sons: John (Melissa) of Shoreline, Wash.: Justin (Ann-Marie) of Dickinson, Texas, and Jack (Leigh) of Dallas, Texas; three grandchildren: Lily of Shoreline, Wash., and Dominic and Katherine of Dickinson, Texas; and two brothers: Jim and JayCee Williamson.
He was preceded in death by two brothers: Jerry and Joe Williamson.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11, at Zion Lutheran Church in El Paso, Texas. Internment is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, July 13, in Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas. Memorials may be made to the Ysleta Lutheran Mission at ylm.org/donate/. Arrangements are under the direction of Crestview Funeral Home in El Paso, Texas.