Billy Williamson Sr.

Billy Williamson, Sr., age 88, of Morehead, Kentucky, passed away Monday, September 22, 2025.

He was born December 16, 1936, in Magoffin County near Falcon, Kentucky, a son of the late Joseph "Joe" Williamson and Jennie Conley Williamson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Juanita Shepherd Williamson, who passed away March 13, 2025; his son, Billy Joe Williamson, Jr., who passed away May 11, 2024, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident; and one brother, Elbert Williamson.

Survivors who will forever cherish his memory include his son, Michael (Kim) Williamson of Morehead; his daughter, Lisa Williamson (Sandy) Gibbs of Morehead; his sister, Lois (R.C.) Hatter of Falcon, Kentucky; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Billy graduated from Salyersville High School in 1954 and attended Morehead State College, working summers at Whirlpool in Lorain, Ohio, where he developed his knowledge of electronics and industrial technology. He later studied at the University of Kentucky for two semesters (1957 – 1958) before volunteering for the U.S. Army in 1959. He trained in the Signal Corps and served two years in Germany as a Specialist 4, earning time off for tours in Europe before being honorably discharged in New York.

After returning home, Billy worked for the Kentucky Department of Transportation Radio System before joining his hometown friend Phillip Howard at Kentucky Educational Television (KET). In 1968, they became the first engineers stationed in Morehead, helping to build out the network of television transmitters. In the same year, Billy moved his young family to Morehead.

He returned to Morehead State University and graduated in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in industrial technology. He became the chief engineer at WKMR-TV Channel 38 in Morehead and earned an FCC Class III television engineer license. By the mid-1980s, he had advanced to Eastern Regional Supervisor. Billy retired in 1997 from the KET Network Center in Lexington after nearly 33 years of dedicated service to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Active in his community, Billy served as a Boy Scouts of America leader in the 1970s. After joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1983, he was recommended to the priesthood and became scoutmaster of the Owingsville Ward Troop, helping several scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout, including his youngest son, Billy Jr. He also faithfully served in the ward clerk's office for more than a decade.

Billy and Juanita were also active in the Woodmen of the World, helping provide camps and activities for many local youths. An avid outdoorsman, Billy loved camping, canoeing, and hiking, often sharing these experiences with his family and scouts.

His more than eight-year battle with CLL cancer ended peacefully on the first day of fall, surrounded by family. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead and Friday, September 26, 2025, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Owingsville Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Funeral service will be held Friday, September 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Owingsville Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1954 KY 36, just south of I-64 Exit 121 in Owingsville) with Bishop John Nelson officiating.

Interment will follow in New Alfrey Cemetery in Morehead with full military honors by Morehead American Legion Post No. 126.

Pallbearers will be Harland Hatter, Mike Williamson, Steven Vaughan, Jacob Williamson, Lee Adkins, Glenn Vaughan, and Darin Vaughan.

Arrangements are under the direction of Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351.

View memorial tribute or sign online guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com