Carol Williamson Dies; Was a Former Resident

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Monday, 21 March 2022 15:25

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Carol Jean Williamson

Carol Jean Williamson, a former  longtime Sitka resident, died at her home in Longview, Washington, Feb. 25, 2022.
A sparkling light was lost to this world, though she will be seen reflected a million times over for generations.
Carol was movie star beautiful, spirited and brave, with an infectious giggle and a mischievous sense of humor.
Born Jan. 19, 1934, Carol was raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. Her parents, Howard and Juanita Sands, made sure that she and her brother David Sands studied hard and learned music. Carol had a tremendous amount of drive and excelled in both areas.
Carol started school at age 6, and was immediately advanced to the third grade. She played violin and piano with the band, was on the synchronized swim team, and taught Red Cross training. Later she learned the trumpet so that she could join the marching band and go to all of the football games.
While attending Corpus Christi High she became best friends with Ann Williamson (Brauer Burns). They remained so for over 70 years. Ann introduced Carol to her older brother, Tom Williamson, and the two became lifelong sweethearts. Carol was studying accounting at the University of Arkansas when the couple decided to elope. They were married on April 23,1951, and moved to Mexico City for his work on an archaeology dig. Her first child was born in a foreign country, with attendants who spoke another language. She was 17.
Brilliant and talented, Carol created a home and raised four children with the same passion she approached all aspects of life. Her mathematical mind made sewing a favorite activity, but she never met a craft she didn’t try.
After traversing the world as an Army family, they moved to Sitka in 1972 to become commercial salmon fishermen. It was their 30 move in 21 years of marriage.
Carol and Tom fished for 20 years. Carol also worked as a secretary in the Alaska State Audiology office, a swimming instructor, and a legal secretary.
After Tom passed in 2004, Carol moved in with her daughter’s family. The Turners will be forever grateful for the years they had living with this amazing woman.
Carol was very active in both the Sitka Methodist Church and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. She sang in the choir, played the organ, attended Bible study, and could be counted on for any need at any time.
Carol had a spirit that was boundless. Her curiosity, persistence, and energy were unquenchable. She would try anything. In 1977 she took first place in the Alaska State Logging Show  Women’s Nail Driving  competition. She beat cancer twice.  During her first recovery she crocheted  over 200 hats for cancer patients. She decided to learn the cello in her fifties, and picked up the harp in her sixties. She taught her family that curiosity, desire, hard work, and love make absolutely anything possible.
Carol transitioned to her next adventure surrounded by family and embraced with love, as she had been her whole life.
She was preceded in death by parents Howard and Juanita Sands, brother David Sands, husband Thomas L. Williamson, and son Thomas L. Williamson Jr.
Carol is survived by sister-in-law Ann Williamson Brauer Burns of Sacramento, California; daughter-in-law Karen Pritchard of Longview; sons Ted Williamson and wife Dawn of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Tim Williamson and fiancé Deb Blackwell of Windsor, California; and daughter Tracy and husband Mat Turner of Cathlamet, Washington.
She also is survived by grandchildren Tom Williamson, Tim Williamson and wife Jody, R.J. Williamson and husband Joe F0ecteau, Nate Turner, Andy Turner and partner Josh Joseph, Charlie Williamson, Jake Turner, Mariah Williamson and husband Damon Snowden, and eight great-grandchildren.
The family will have a private graveside service at Sitka National Cemetery on Friday, March 25. 
Friends are invited to stop by St. Peter’s See House to visit with the family 11:30 to 2 p.m. March 25.

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