James Robert Williamson

James Robert Williamson, 88, of Yakima, WA, died August 17, 2024, at Landmark Care and Rehabilitation.
Jim Williamson was born in 1936 in Canton, NC. He graduated from Canton High School in 1954 where he was the class salutatorian and earned his athletic letter in two sports. He was selected to the All-State basketball team. He graduated from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering through the cooperative work program.
At Virginia Tech, he was selected to the "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities". Jim received the gold medal for excellence from the Society of American Military Engineers. He was a member of several honorary societies and earned the superior Cadet Citation in his junior year.
Jim's college graduation included commissioning as a US Army 2nd Lieutenant through the Reserve Officers Training Corps program. He was assigned to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD, for training as an Ordnance officer. Subsequently, he was assigned to the Yakima Firing Center. Following two years of active military duty, he remained in the US Army Reserve for another eight years, retiring as a Captain.
He began his working career at the Champion Paper Company in Canton, NC, as an Engineering Trainee through the cooperative work program with Virginia Tech. While at the Yakima Firing Center, Jim gained part-time work with the Food Industry Research and Engineering (FIRE) firm in Yakima. At the completion of his two year military tour, he was hired full time by FIRE. After many years with FIRE and its successor firms (now Food Facility Engineering (FFE)) with branch office stints in Winter Haven, FL and Harrisburg, PA. Jim formed his own firm, J.R.W and Associates, where he provided full-time service to FFE until he retired in 2023.
Jim began his adult sports career as a fastpitch softball player for the Champion YMCA team in Canton, a team that was rated in the top five best teams in the country. He began playing in Yakima fastpitch softball before laying down his glove 49 years later. Not satisfied with just being a player, he began coaching and sponsoring both youth and adult teams. Jim was a coach for 56 years and a sponsor for 36 years. He was more than a softball coach to his players, he was a life coach, helping many troubled young men to develop the life skills they would need later to have successful futures.
Jim was the Yakima Softball Association Executive Director for 43 years. He was a co-founder of the North American Fastpitch Association where he served as Vice-President for 29 years, holds the title of Founder Emeritus and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1999. Jim served as an At-Large Commissioner and Vice President of the International Softball Congress for eight years. He was inducted into the Amateur Softball Association Region 15 Hall of Fame in 2011. Jim has also served as a Commissioner for the Washington Amateur Softball Association for 39 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James E. and Gwendolyn Williamson of Canton and Asheville, NC.
He is survived by his brother Richard Williamson (Janie Shaheen) of Saint Simons Island, GA, nephew Kevin Williamson (Stefanie) of Newcastle, WA, and niece Shawn Coleman (Robert) of Germantown, MD. His previous marriages to Doreen Van Horn and to Patsy Ryan ended in divorce.
Arrangements are through the Valley Hills Funeral Home in Yakima. Jim chose cremation as his final resting place. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Valley Hills, 2600 Business Lane.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Memorial Home Care Services, 1208 South 48th Avenue, Yakima, WA 98908 or to a charity of your choice.