W. Burton Williamson

From time to time while reading Scripture an event or a person vividly comes to life right before you. For our family that’s what happens when we read Colossians 3:12-17. Writing to believers in Colossae Paul reminds them that they are chosen, set apart, loved, and forgiven by God. He then goes on to exhort them to “put on“ these characteristics of Jesus, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance, forgiveness, thankfulness, and love. Paul’s words are actually a beautiful word picture of Burton as he moved through his life here on earth. He had given his heart and his life to Jesus at age 12 and through the years he had learned to “put on” or become an imitator of Christ. William Burton Williamson was born on April 29, 1946, in Frederick, OK, to Clealon Vernon and Lila Faye Williamson. Moving at 6 months old to the Texas Panhandle, he claimed that area as home until he first visited Colorado and Wyoming. The outdoors and mountains truly were his home. His family finally settled in Spearman, Texas, where Burton excelled in the classroom as well as on the basketball court, baseball field, and tennis court. He graduated in 1964 from Spearman High School as the class Valedictorian, receiving a scholarship to Texas Tech University where he majored in chemistry. He graduated in 1969 with his Bachelor of Science degree. Obtaining a PhD was always his plan, Burton decided on Texas A&M University where he pursued his degree in Physical Chemistry. The U.S. Army interrupted his studies when they drafted him as part of the last draft for the Vietnam War. After basic training at Ft. Polk, Louisiana, Burton completed advanced training as a medic at Ft. Sam Houston, in San Antonio, Texas. His duty station assignment was Erlangen, Germany, instead of Vietnam. The Erlangen base had no hospital, so Burton was transferred to the Base Post Office where he happily served his time. Burton then returned to Texas A&M in the summer of 1972 to finish his degree. While there this time he endured teaching Freshman chemistry labs! He finally graduated again in 1976 and took his first job as a research scientist with Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan. After 10 years with Ford Burton accepted a new position with Allied Signal in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He continued his work in catalytic converter research and engineering until his retirement from Umicore. He was a member of the American Chemical Society for 53 years. He holds numerous awards, patents and publications over his career. Along the way Burton married Sandra from Spearman on September 1, 1967, at Spearman’s First Methodist Church. They became parents to 3 children, Amy (James), Christy, and Matt (Ginger), grandparents to Emily (Hayden), Will, and Delaney (Eric), as well as 16 dogs throughout their 58 years of marriage. Burton never lost his love of softball and usually played weekly at 2nd or 3rd base until he was 77 years old. Burton reflected the very heart of Jesus as he loved his family and others unconditionally, demonstrating all the qualities mentioned in the Colossians passage. He enjoyed many long hours volunteering at favorite charities and serving others in his community. If you were to ask him what his favorite Bible verse was though, he would quote the last part of Ezra 10:4, “Be of good courage, and do it!”. Burton loved music, and we can hear even now his beautiful bass voice singing with the angels! We are all going to live forever, so it becomes a matter of “location, location, location”. Burton would want you to be sure you belong to Jesus, so you can join him in heaven at the throne of the One Whom he knew personally and Who deserves all praise and worship! In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Arrow Heights Baptist Church c/o Parking Lot Fund 3201 South Elm Place Broken Arrow, OK 74012

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W. Burton Williamson

April 29, 1946 - March 12, 2026