John Williamson

You can count on one hand the truly special people in your life. John was one of those, and I will fondly remember him for the rest of my life.

I often still think of John since his passing, reminiscing about the many experiences we shared together over the 45+ years we were friends. His is missed

John's memory is always present. A colleague and I were actually remembering him this morning. We miss him.

Just yesterday, and unprompted, one of our bartenders of long standing told me how much he missed John, especially during tax prep season when he was a frequent Saturday customer at Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant's Wine Bar . . .

Damnit John... My experience with this thing called life ...is increasingly filled with questions, that are never answered..such as: Why did I not reach to you just to say "hey"....as often as your name flashed through my mind... How did you get so freakin smart? Where did you get that unforgettable smile? How did you know that by asking Donna for her hand in marriage, would result in the beautiful family you helped to protect and create..? Why couldn´t you hang around a little longer ??...

I met John at Illinois College and spent two years sharing his journey through life. My wife and I visited John in Peoria a few years after college but other than a few college reunions we did not keep in touch. Nevertheless, I have always counted John as a friend and consider anyone who enjoyed John’s energy, wit, and humor throughout his life the benefactors of his unique love! I will miss you.

I send my condolences to the Williamson family. I was fortunate to know John from a very early age. I moved into the “Home Ave” neighborhood in 4th grade. John was Instrumental in organizing the neighborhood kids for playing constant sports. If we weren’t playing basketball, football , baseball , ditch (all usually initiated and organized by John) , we were on our bikes headed for Lincoln Lakes. I can also thank John for getting us to the tennis courts and he took me to the Rec and had me...

I first met John in 7th grade at Lincoln Junior High School. He later became one of my five best friends. We shared many great times back in the day ... concerts (Stones, Zeppelin, Bowie, etc.), shenanigans in Lincoln, and road trips to Texas and the Florida Keys. The best was a trip to Jamaica in 1975 which included scuba diving and sailing. John had an encyclopedic knowledge of the world, was a bon vivant, art and music aficionado, and a loyal friend. I, like everyone who knew John, will...