Rita (King) Williamson

Rita Joyce Williamson, 96, of Fort Worth, Texas formerly of Royal Center, passed away on Friday, August 9, 2019 at Harris Palliative Care Center after several months of declining health.

Born November 11, 1922 in Star City, she was the daughter of the late James B. and Cleo (Long) King.

She was a Royal Center High School graduate.

On June 30, 1946, she married Stanley E. Williamson. They were married for 69 years until his death on September 25, 2015.

Rita was a lifelong homemaker that lived most of her life in Indiana, but spent a few years in Florida when Stanley’s work took him there. She last lived with her son, James Williamson in Fort Worth, Texas. Her true home has always been Royal Center, Indiana. Her parents moved there when she was young, she grew up there, went to school and lived in four different houses there. When she moved to Texas after Stanley’s death, it was a big adjustment. It wasn’t the weather, but the fact that she moved from a small town in Indiana to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, where there are about 7 million people and it seems they all get on the highways at the same time. She often commented that it was a good thing that she didn’t drive anymore, because she couldn’t figure out how we got from one place to another.

She didn’t like to stay sitting at home, but rather wanted to go out shopping or out to eat. Overall, her last years were good ones. Now she is full circle and is back home.

She is survived by her sons, James A. Williamson (Arunee “Dom”) of Fort Worth, Texas, Dana E. Williamson of Royal Center, Wesley O. Williamson (Patricia) of Richland, Michigan and David E. Williamson of Powell, Wyoming, daughter, Kimberly K. Houle of East Peoria, Illinois.  She is also survived 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by grandson, Jason S. Williamson and daughter in law, Shirley Williamson.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 17, 2019 at the Winamac Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 16, 2019 at Harrison-Metzger-Rans Funeral Homes & Crematory in Royal Center.

Memorial contributions may be Alzheimer’s Association.

Please sign Rita’s online guestbook or leave a condolence for the Williamson family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com