Obituary of Gordon Williamson

Dr. Gordon L. Williamson, 1919 - 2014 Gordon L. Williamson, 94, died March 13, at home, after a full and joyful life, with his family by his side. A graveside memorial service will be held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Pioneer Cemetery on Warm Springs. Born in Portland, Oregon Oct. 31, 1919, to Paul and Georgina Williamson, Gordon was the eldest of three children. 'Gordy' grew up on the sandlots and baseball fields of Portland, playing the game that came naturally to him. He played on numerous All Star teams and upon graduation from U.S. Grant High School, he received a scholarship to play baseball at Willamette University. After a year at Willamette he turned professional and barnstormed his way through the northwest, playing in the Pioneer league for the Lewiston Indians and then the Boise Pilots at Airway Park. He took his bat and his heart to the University of Idaho where he met his future wife and partner, Jane Barrett. Many lifelong friends were made during those years in Moscow and Mom and Dad remained loyal Vandals for life. His visioned path to the big leagues was derailed by the advent of World War II. Marriage and a new career path in dentistry soon followed his military service. Dad's early years of family practice dentistry started in the Sun Building in downtown Boise, and he eventually founded and built the Boise Dental Center at 10th and Hays, where he welcomed and treated any and all regardless of income. It was very common for him to meet patients after hours and on weekends whenever necessary and occasionally take payments in freshly harvested crops. He treated the inmates at the Boise penitentiary, the priests at St. John's, and the nuns at St. Theresa's and St. Joseph's elementary school, often in exchange for 'the scoop' on his kids. Dad and Mom traveled together far and wide, visiting Ireland, England, Spain, and Italy. They cruised the Panama Canal, took in the U.S Open at Shennecock Hills and visited New Orleans, their last trip together. He took his son to an NCAA Final Four in Portland, and took his daughters to Fanci Freeze for dip cones. A vibrant and active presence in the Boise community, Gordon was active in the Elk's Gleeman, Hillcrest and Crane Creek country clubs, the Idaho State Dental Association, and the Bishop Kelly Boosters. He was master of ceremonies for the annual Idaho Statesman little league champion's banquet. He delighted in introducing some of our local homegrown major league talents, and also the occasional big league super star, including Vern Law, Larry Jackson, Don Drysdale, Harmon Killebrew, and Hank Aaron. In 1966 he was honored by the Idaho Statesman as a "Distinguished Citizen" for his community involvement. In his late '30s, Dad discovered his next great love, the game of golf. He reveled in the camaraderie and competitive nature of the gentleman's game until the last months of his life —- shooting at least his age every year from the time he was 72 until last October when he celebrated his birthday and a 94 with one of his favorite foursomes. He traveled to play many great courses to test his skills. Perhaps his most memorable day on the links was a holein- one on the 17th at the Blue Lakes Country Club Invitational in Twin Falls - an effort rewarded with a robin's egg blue convertible BMW, a trophy he immediately presented to Mom who drove it proudly, if not cautiously. Gordon retired from dentistry at the age of 66, but continued his community service by volunteering at the Red Cross, and later at St. Alphonsus Hospital. He loved the service, and its connection to the people and community he served. He lost Jane to cancer after 56 years of marriage. Theirs was a true partnership, as all who knew them could attest. Dad later remarried and he and Helen Copple spent his last 13 years together, sharing the lives and interests each had already spent a lifetime building. Gordon is survived by his sister, Nancy Bailey of Fresno, Calif., brother, Paul of Portland, Ore., and his daughter Carol Holsinger (Karl), son Patrick (Maggie), daughter Anne (Kris Fenwick) and daughter Jane (Stacy Seyb and son Alex); grandchildren, who enjoyed countless ice cream cones with him: Maran Sheils (Kim Bailey), Matthew Sheils, Christopher Williamson (Jen), Andrew Williamson, Kate Stoddard, and Henry Stoddard; and great grandchildren Sam and Josephine Bailey. He also had special connection to his nieces, Kathy Barrett, Ann Serpa, and Penny McCallister; and the Hewitt family, Ardie, Jim, and Jock. The family would like to thank the caregivers of Exceptional Care and St. Luke's Hospice. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to The Red Cross of Idaho, 146 S. Cole Road, Boise Idaho 83709, The First Tee of Idaho, 172 S Academy Dr. Ste 160, Eagle, ID 83616 or to a charity of your