Thomas "Colin" Williamson

Thomas “Colin” Williamson

Ocala, FL – Mr. Thomas “Colin” Williamson, 85, passed from this life on June 27, 2022. A visitation with family is at 10AM, followed by a memorial service at 11AM on Saturday July 9, 2022, at Central Church of Christ, 4200 E Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, FL. This celebration of Colin’s life will continue at a reception for everyone at the Appleton Museum, 4333 E Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, FL.

Colin is survived by his wife Betty; daughters, Mary Olive Hill and husband Patrick, of Ocala, FL, Pamela Meekins, of Ocala, FL; sons, Stephen M. Williamson of New York, NY, Larry Williamson and wife Annette of Moulton, Alabama; grandchildren, Christopher Hill and wife Christina, MaryLei Villella and husband Chris, Taylor Varnum, Kara Mitchell and husband Bryan, Kelsey and Alex Meekins; seven great-grandchildren.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

Born in Union, FL on March 2, 1937, to Stephen and Linnie Williamson, Colin was the youngest of seven children. Under the guidance of High Springs High School’s Agriculture teacher, Mr. Kilpatrick, Colin became the state president of Future Farmer’s of America, and his days of public speaking began. As his graduation drew near, Colin was faced with a big choice… go to the University of Florida and follow in the political footsteps of his FFA peers like Doyle Conner and Billy Gunter, or attend Florida Christian College in Temple Terrace, FL and study the Bible. Colin chose the Lord, a choice he would continue to make for the rest of his life.

Colin Williamson was a “minister” in every way. In a career that lasted more than 64 years, he preached at Central Church of Christ for 50 years. He served the Lord and people his whole life and never met a stranger or made anyone feel like they couldn’t confide in him or seek advice or help. He was sincere, genuine, humble and always had a story to tell, a funny joke, or anecdote that fit the situation perfectly.

He was truly a master storyteller. Not a Sunday dinner would pass without Colin reading an excerpt from a book he was reading as an intro to one of his stories, most often ending with a humorous twist. He had the perfect story for every occasion. Colin was a Civil War Historian with an impressive book collection and could often be found in his study reading one of his favorite historical accounts. To simply say that he was an avid University of Florida “Gator” football fan, would be an understatement. For 50 years he very seldom missed a home game and a chance to enjoy dissecting the game, play -by-play with his circle of friends. Known for having ‘a way with words’, and a nature that calmed and offered peace; not because he chose his words carefully, but because he only knew the right thing, the kind thing, and he only saw the best in people and loved them genuinely. To know Colin was to love him, to learn from him, to cherish moments spent with him, and now, to fondly remember him.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now, there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7-8