The Honorable Stephen M. Williamson

The Honorable Stephen Monroe Williamson, Chief District IV Court Judge, retired, life long resident of Kenansville, passed away Friday evening, August 30, 2024.

Judge Williamson graduated from Campbell College with a bachelors degree in biology. He served in the North Carolina National Guard from the Warsaw unit, had been a school teacher concentrating on biology and science, was a life-long farmer,  had been a probation officer, and had been a member of his church since 1947, where he enjoyed singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, and serving as Sunday school superintendant. He was a member of the local Rotary Club, was a charter member of the Kenansville Fire Department from which he retired, and he served an integral part in bringing ambulance service to the citizens of Duplin County through his work with civil defense.  He was a former scoutmaster with the Boys Scouts of America. Judge Williamson had been presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, was a member of the Black Angus Cattle Association,  Duplin County Cattlemen’s Association, and the Workhorse and Mule Association.

On Tuesday, September 3, his family and friends will assemble at Kenansville Christian Fellowship for visitation to begin at 2 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 3 p.m. Burial will be in the Gilbert E. and Eva G. Alphin Family Cemetery. Friends and family are also being received at the Williamson residence.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that memorial gifts be made to Kenansville Christian Fellowship, c/o Mrs. Norma Guy, PO Box 484, Kenansville, NC 28349; Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro, NC 27534; or to the charity of one’s choice.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Nancy Alphin Williamson; one of their sons, David Gilbert Williamson; his parents, David Stephen Williamson and Margaret Malloy Williamson; brothers, Robert Franklin Williamson and David “Buddy” Williamson; and sisters, Lois Precythe and Hazel Scott, Judge Williamson is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Stephen M. Williamson, Jr. and Treva English Williamson of Kenansville; a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy Williamson Stewart and the Rev. Chris Stewart of La Grange; grandchildren, Stephene Williamson, James David Williamson and wife, Nikki, and Paul Williamson, all of Kenansville, Brian Stewart, Jr. and wife, Kelsey, of La Grange, Noah Stewart and wife, Anna, of Manhattan, Kansas, and Matthew Stewart of Thomasville, Georgia; three great-grandchildren, Brantley Williamson, Cooper Williamson, and B. Christian Stewart III; a sister-in-law, Kay Williamson; and members of the Alphin family.