June 27, 1947 – September 03, 2025
Edward Hughes Williamson passed away on 3 September 2025 in Bend, OR. He was 78 years old.
Born in Honolulu, HI, “Willie” was the son of Commander Robert C. Williamson, USN, and Frances Y. Williamson. As part of a proud Navy family, he spent his childhood moving from base to base before settling in Virginia during his high school years. After one year at Virginia Military Institute, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with the Class of 1970.
Following graduation, Willie served aboard MCKENZIE (DD-836) during the Vietnam War, where he rose to chief engineer. During his service, he married his first wife, Jane Arnold (divorced), and welcomed his daughter, Lindsey, in 1974.
After leaving the Navy in 1976, Willie moved his family to Bend, OR, where he owned and operated a beloved local sandwich shop. In 1981, he began a successful 24-year career in financial services, joining Dean Witter Reynolds as an account executive and rising to Associate Vice President of Investments in 1985. Shortly after, he met his second wife, Judy Thompson (divorced). They married in 1988, and he proudly became a father figure to her three children, Billy, Chris and Michelle.
In 1989, Willie was appointed Associate Director of National Sales Training at Dean Witter’s World Trade Center headquarters in New York City. His career later took him to Atlanta, Fort Worth, Hartford and Denver, where he continued to mentor and lead in the financial industry. He retired in 2005 and returned to Bend, where he opened a small shop devoted to his passions—restoring antiques, crafting and repairing lamps.
Willie was known for his warmth, integrity, wit and steady devotion to his family and friends.
Predeceased by his parents, he is survived by his children (and their spouses), Lindsey (Kim), Billy (Kelly), Chris (Kristin) and Michelle (Noah); grandchildren, Hilda, Sydney, Zoe, Logan, Elijah, Hadley and Reese; great- grandchild, Malcolm; his brothers, Rear Admiral Robert C. Williamson Jr. ’67, USN (Ret.), and Richard; and his sister, Kathryn.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Redmond, 732 SW 23rd St, Redmond, OR 97756; (https://www.hospiceofredmond.org).
Updated:06 November 2025
Curator: Ed Moore