Deacon Elmer 'Ew' Williamson

Obituary
(A Life Well Lived)

Mr. Elmer Winford Williamson, 'E. W.', the son of Rev. Troy Williamson, Sr. and Jessie Mae Parham Williamson, was born January 25, 1944, in New Albany, Mississippi. One of ten siblings, three preceded him in death.
E. W. was being educated in the Mississippi Public School System until his family relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana. He completed his education at Arsenal Technical High school where he graduated and received a certificate in Automotive Collision Repair.
On January 8, 1965, E. W. and Helen C. Keaton were united in Holy Matrimony and together they were the parents of three children.
E. W. accepted Christ at an early age while residing in Mississippi and was baptized. After coming to Indianapolis, he united with the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. A. M. Hughes. He later moved his membership to Mount Vernon Baptist Church and under the leadership of Rev. Mozel Sanders he was ordained as a Deacon. A dedicated and faithful member, E. W. also served as Deacon Board Chairman for a number of years. He dearly loved Pastor Sanders and the Mount Vernon Baptist Church and was a staunch supporter, both spiritually and financially. He was there, quietly in the background to offer financial support to Rev. Sanders when he launched his first Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving program to feed the hungry. Anytime there was a need, be it physical, spiritually, emotionally or financially, Rev. Sanders knew he could count on Deacon E. W. to go over, above and beyond whatever the need was. A devout Christian, It was his belief that a Deacon should be the Pastor's right hand and fight alongside him and not against him, proving that every Pastor should have an E. W. Williamson on his team. Pastors from all across the city respected Deacon E. W. and he was often sought after for his wisdom, advice and sound doctrine.
After spending most of his life at Mount Vernon, Deacon E. W. became a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Harris. A few years later the Lord lead E.W. back to St. Luke where he served on the Deacon Board for a few years and later as its Chairman. St. Luke will always be grateful to Deacon E. W. for spearheading a fundraising drive under his tenure as Deacon Board Chairman which allowed the church to pay off its twenty year mortgage in ten years. To God be the Glory! Always available and willing to lend a helping hand whenever and wherever he saw a need, at the time of his passing, E. W. was supporting his brother, Pastor Michael Williamson at New Hope Baptist Church in Muncie, Indiana.
E. W.'s employment history began with his working at Chrysler from October 25, 1965 to 1971 when he became full time as the enterprising owner of Williamson Paint and Body Shop. It was here that he would spend the next forty-seven years serving the community. When you went to Williamson Paint and Body Shop, you knew you would receive kind, professional, first class, honest, fair and reliable service. His Christian ethics allowed him to do no less and he always said: 'That's the best I can do for you', making him well-respected not only by his customers, but the Insurance companies and all other companies his business required him to work with. They knew him to be honest and ethical in his dealings.
An entrepreneurial with a good sense for business, E. W. had previously owned a Limo Transportation Service, Williamson Scavenger Service and E. W.'s Bar-B-Que at 38th and Arlington.
A loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, he was a family man and was always there to offer support to his family and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for them. E. W. was a strong father figure who led by example, believing the man should be head of his household. He taught his children and grandchildren the value of a dollar and to be good Steward over all they had. He had a kind and generous heart and would give you the shirt off his back. Always there to lend a helping hand, he blessed others as God blessed him and more than likely gave away hundreds of thousands of dollars during his lifetime in donations to worthy causes and to help someone in need. A deeply caring man, he took on the burdens of others, never wanting to see anyone suffering.
Although he firmly believed in formal education, his belief was that a lot of common sense would get you a lot further than book sense. The backbone of his family, E. W. had the wisdom of Solomon and both family and friends looked to him for sound, logical advice. To say that he was well liked and well respected throughout the community would be an understatement.
E. W. had a great sense of humor and was a joy to be around. He told such amusing stories and could weave a tale so believable, only by the twitching of his mouth could you tell only half of what he was telling you was the actual truth.
As the community, along with his family mourn his passing, we know that E. W. touched the lives of those too numerous to mention and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Deacon E. W. Williamson departed this life on December 6, 2018 at the age of 74 years, 10 months and 11 days. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Bertha Ruth and Juanita, one brother, Grady and his parents.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, Helen Williamson, his precious children, Anthony (Kimberly) Williamson, Gary Williamson and Tonya (Roscoe) Brown; grandchildren, Scott Williamson and Jia Cross; brothers, James Williamson (Gladys), Rev. Troy Williamson, Jr. (Carrie) and Rev. Michael Williamson (Paula); sisters, Dorothy Miller, Hazel Williamson and Mabel Everett, both of New Albany, Mississippi; brothers-in-law, Aubrey Keaton (Ruth), Savanna, Georgia, Barry Keaton, Chicago, Illinois and Donald Keaton, Seattle, Washington; sisters-in-law, Jeanette Meredith, Aurora, Illinois and Linda Nesbit (Dewayne), Atlanta, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, his church families and a community of friends and loved ones.

'I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day': 2 Timothy 4: 7-8a

Humbly Submitted……………………………………………………The Family

A Visitation was held at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church 5325 E. 30th Street Indianapolis IN 46218 at 10:00:00 AM on 12/15/2018.

A Celebration of Life was held at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church 5325 E. 30th Street Indianapolis IN 46218 at 12:00:00 PM on 12/15/2018.