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Doug Williamson
Doug Williamson
Obituary
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Doug Williamson Obituary
Doug is survived by his wife, Carol, children Denice (David) Wood, Brenda (Bob) Jones, Brett (Jory) Williamson, Tate (Rose Marie) Williamson, Lauren Ansolabehere and Scott Camp. Sister Kay (Al) Brassfield and brothers Todd Williamson and Toby (Linda) Williamson. Father-in-Law, Jim (Kathy) Scott, mother-in-law, Wanda Scott, and brother-in-law, Don Scott. He was the proud Grandpa of 12 and Great Grandpa of 8.
He is preceded in death by parents, Sylvan and Barbara Williamson, sister Betty Critzer, sister Karla Brown and cousin Diane Bush.
Doug was born on March 15, 1942 and grew up on his family's ranch in Vale, Oregon. From a young age, Doug worked on the ranch and developed his cowboy and horsemanship skills. After graduating from high school, he worked on several ranches where he was in charge of large herds of cattle and also continued training horses. He became a full-time horse trainer in his twenties and embarked on a successful career that spanned over 6 decades. Over the years, he had training facilities in Nampa, Idaho, Bakersfield, California and ultimately in Scottsdale, Arizona. His lifelong passion was to be the best horseman he could be. Two special accomplishments of his career included his induction into the NRCHA Hall of Fame and securing his place as a NRCHA Million Dollar Rider. He was loved and respected by many but none more than his wife, the "Little Blonde".
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the NRCHA Foundation Crisis Fund or the charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Debbie Kuykendall
September 16, 2024
Doug Williamson was a hero to me. I was such a beginner novice rider and he never made me feel like I couldn´t do anything I wanted to accomplish. My favorite memory was at a Rancho Murietta show. I was first up in the first cutting class early in the morning and I was standing forlorn in the parking lot, ready to go, waiting for my trainer who had my horse and was very late. He stepped out of his trailer buttoning his shirt to go take care of his own chores, saw me close to tears, asked where my trainer was. When I told him he said, don´t worry, I´ve got it, I´ll go settle your herd and setup your help. Calm down, it´s going to be fine. When he gets here, warm up, and go show your horse. Well, I did. He got in the corner, picked my cattle, and for the first time in my life, I won my class. Thank you Doug for making people like me believe in ourselves, love our horses and help create memories that will live on into our old age and give us a reason to smile. Go rest high on that mountain. See you soon. Happy Trails.
Robin Ross
September 12, 2024
Robin Ross
September 12, 2024
Robin Ross
September 12, 2024
Doug is one of the best at shaping a cow to go down the fence. The man knows the nature of horses and cattle. Survival on the eastern Oregon high desert revolves around God and stewardship of His miraculous creations. I am excited to see where God has put Doug to work serving Him.
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Robin Ross
August 30, 2024
Robin Ross
August 29, 2024
Doug and I were lifetime friends. He knew me from birth. At one time my dad, John Ross a true buckaroo and horseman, was Doug´s hero. Dad loved Doug and shared his Cowboy knowledge. We rode several years together on the Eastern Oregon High Desert. I later worked for Doug when he had a facility in Boise, Idaho; he taught me much. I loved him like a brother. Doug knows God by Natural Revelation. He is a man of solid quiet faith. God has him now.
Kay Brassfield
August 29, 2024
Kay Brassfield
August 29, 2024
Kay Brassfield
August 29, 2024
I still remember "buckerooing" with brother Doug in the Owyhee mountains in eastern Oregon when he was 16 and I was 14. Those were rank cows many had never seen a human being. My horse got in some wire and I bailed off. He passed me going 90 yelling "get back on your horse, the cows getting away ". I don´t think a cow Ever got away from him. He wasn´t just a showman, he was a "real " cowboy and a Great big brother. He rode race horses starting at the age of nine with proper jockeys and won. He had to use weights to make him heavy enough.
Amy Masters
August 28, 2024
I met Doug in 2020 at the Celebration of Champions in Fort Worth, TX. It was mg first ever world show and I was a non pro boxer. I could hardly believe it when my husband and I sat down and I realized Doug was two rows in front of me. It might as well have been a rock star sitting there. When his friends left, I stood up and introduced myself. I just wanted to shake his hand. He was a legend. I apologized for bothering him. He was so nice. Like some groupie, I asked for a photo and he obliged. Then he took me by the arm and sat me down to talk cattle selection while we watched the herd work. I recorded part of that conversation with my phone tucked out of sight, and I´m so glad I did. He was a tremendous horseman and a kind and generous person with his time and wisdom. I´ll never forget it. Rest easy, Doug. And thanks for the memory!
scott taylor
August 28, 2024
I met Doug as a 10 yr. old kid trying to figure out how to rope on my own. Doug helped me with my swing. Great man!!
Bobby Hunt
August 28, 2024
Doug was not only a great horse trainer but was a great Cowboy and a wonderful friend to so many. Fly high Cowboy
Gwendolyn Deiss
August 28, 2024
Doug, I´ll miss that great smile you give everyone when you cross their paths! Kindest man!
Carole Smith
August 27, 2024
I only met Doug once at the snaffle bit Futurity in Reno. I was riding in the warm up pen. I had bought a nice roan gelding that his parents had bred. He was by Pretty Boy Boon and out of Miss Lena Schatz. He assured me that any horse that came out of a "Schatz" mare would be a good one. I never will forget that short visit and the kindness of this great gentleman A the gelding was a perfect horse for me!!!
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