William Quillan Williamson

William Quillan Williamson, known to friends and family as Bill, went to be with his Lord on January 8, 2026, at NMMC in Tupelo, MS. He professed faith in Jesus as his Lord and Savior at age 9 and was baptized into the fellowship of Liberty Baptist Church in Chelsea, AL. After graduating from Bessemer High School, Bro. Bill earned his bachelor's degree from Samford University (Birmingham, AL) in 1958, followed by a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY) in 1962, after first studying at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. While at Samford, he met the love of his life, Jacky Turner, and they married in 1960, later welcoming their daughter, Stephanie Hope. Called to preach at age 14, Bro. Bill began his 70-year pastoral ministry at 19, serving at Caroline Avenue Baptist Church in Bessemer, AL, and Macedonia Baptist Church in Vanzant, KY, during his college and seminary years. He led Neely's Bend Baptist Church in Madison, TN, for 41 years, overseeing the construction of a new education building, auditorium, and a 10-acre Family Life Park. He also served 22 years as Recreation Director for the Nashville Baptist Association, organizing activities for 8,000 yearly participants in sports and senior adult programs. For the past 22 years, he pastored Concord Baptist Church in Bruce, MS, guiding them in building a beautiful new church. Bro. Bill and Mrs. Jacky's daughter, Hope, was a schoolteacher and wife to pastor Michael Waldrop until her passing in 2022. They have three grandchildren-Whit, Jacky, and Zoe-who are all active in church ministry. Bro. Bill loved his Lord, his family, and his congregations, and his life is a shining example of Christian faith.

Bro. Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mrs. Jacky Turner Williamson of Randolph, MS; his sisters, Barbara Beene of Chesterfield, MO, and Nita Davidson of Pell City, AL; his son-in-law, Michael Waldrop (Laura) of Thaxton, MS; and his grandchildren, Whitten Zechariah Waldrop, Jackson Silas Waldrop, both of St. George, UT, and Zoe Belle Waldrop of Thaxton, MS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Roosevelt and Lucille Chaney Williamson, his sister, Doris Perkins, and his daughter, Stephanie Hope Waldrop.

Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Randolph Baptist Church, with Bro. Michael Waldrop officiating. Visitation will start at 12:30 p.m. and continue until the service begins. Burial will follow at Randolph Cemetery in Randolph, MS.

Pallbearers include Thomas Dunn, Jahew Harrelson, Scott Hellums, Michael Huffman, Kevin Purdon, and Corey Wages.