Phillip Arnold Williamson

Born February 6, 1963, in Jackson, Mississippi to J.W. & Sylvia Williamson. Phil is preceded in death by his father, J.W. Williamson, his beloved maternal grandmother, Bessie Watkins, maternal grandfather, Dudley Watkins, paternal grandfather, Felton Williamson and paternal grandmother, Grace Williamson.
Phil is survived by his mother, Sylvia Williamson and four siblings: Lisa Day, Mickey Williamson, Ginger Vaughan, and Jeff Williamson. Although they were no longer married, he is survived by his ex-wife of 35 years Debbie Williamson. His three stepchildren: Amanda Mason, Penny Carr (Trampis), and Justin Sholar. Lastly, his grandchildren, Brianna Pigott, Isabella Carr, Westin Pigott and Presley Carr.
His childhood and teenage years were spent living in South Jackson, where he attended high school at Forest Hill in Jackson, Mississippi. Phil spent his high school years riding around Jackson in his 1972 Chevelle SS with a host of friends. Phil spent a great deal of time with his grandmother and one of the most important people to him ever, Bessie B.
At the age of 25, Phil met Debbie when they were working at the same life insurance company. There was a catch, with Debbie came three kids, Amanda, Penny and Justin. As you can imagine a 25-year-old coming into a ready-made family was quite an adjustment. Phil and Debbie were eventually married and had been married for 35 years, until recently they had parted ways. Up until his last day on this earth, Debbie loved Phil and I think it's safe to say that Phil loved Debbie. There was a song Phil's friends would sing years ago "Phils come around to Debbie's way of thinking, no more, staying out all night drinking." Catchy lyrics and in those early years I wish they would have rung true. Those years were not always easy, but us kids always had a roof over our head and food on the table and I think I speak for all three of us that we are eternally grateful.
Phil was a hard worker and an accomplished self-employed HVAC and Electrical Technician. He was a very skilled craftsman and could build just about anything. I can remember living in a very small home when I was younger, and he built two additional bedrooms so that we could have our own space.
We grew up with a man named Phil even though Phil was not an ideal father figure, I truly believe he did the best that he could or the best that he knew how to be.
Now let me introduce you to a man named, Big. This man is the man our kids had the honor of having as their grandfather. Big was an amazing and doting grandfather from the moment those grandkids were born, he loved them so much. Brianna, Isabella, Westin, and Presley, I hope you all know how much you meant to him. From the countless spoiling, pretend restaurant orders he gave, dance parties where he provided his favorite 80's hair band and turned the music up so loud that Nana got mad, to baking cookies, the countless go fish games and battleship games, building racetracks, being the best student ever when the kids needed one for playing school, making homemade french fries, watching & feeding birds, antiquing, video recording every little thing those kids did, attending school functions, trips to the store for a candy bar just because, fishing, tinkering on things in the garage, and just being that constant in their lives. Big kept every piece of memorabilia from the grandkids such as artwork, pictures, and anything they made him at school for grandparents' day.
We love you, Big, always and forever.
Per Phil's request, there will be no service. Thank you for all the condolences we have received. Please allow me to share a poem in lieu of having a service.
The Dash Poem
by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted first came the date of the birth and spoke the following date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.
For that dash represents all the time that they spent life on Earth.
And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand the way other people feel.
Be less quick to anger and show appreciation more,
and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?