Arthur Harrison Williamson

Arthur Harrison Williamson, age 91, known by family and close friends as “Bubber” died Friday, July 10, 2015 at Trident Medical Center.  He was born February 10, 1924 in a “mill hill home” in Red Bank, South Carolina, where his father was general overseer of Martell Mills.  He was the son of the late James Harrison Williamson and Grace Smith Williamson of Red Bank.  He was married 62 to years to Georgia Oveda Snelgrove Williamson (deceased).  Art lived a full and eventful life before succumbing to heart failure.  His first love was baseball, then later took up the game of golf, where he was successful at both sports.  Upon hearing about the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, Bubber immediately got up from his chemistry class seat at Lexington High School and attempted to join the United States Navy.  Being only 17 years of age, he was told to bring his father the next day to sign for him and he could become a part of the impending war machine of the United States of America.  His father did so, and Art spent the war at Coco Sobol Naval Air Station in Panama keeping the PBY Spy Planes and the Corsair fighter planes flying in the Pacific Theater.

Upon returning from World War II, he became an employee of Martell Mills and played for the mill baseball team.  The Columbia Reds, Class A farm club of major league baseball’s Cincinnati Reds, had injury problems at second base.  Word got out that there was a local young kid playing in the Mill League that might be suitable as a temporary fill-in for Frankie Baumholtz, a future Hall of Famer.  Art got the call to come to Capital City Park in Columbia and have a short try out.  He fielded some balls with speed and agility.  Keith Molesworth, the Columbia manager, like what he saw from the 5’8” 145 lb. “unharnessed bolt of lightning” as he was later described by hall of fame sports writer, Jake Penland, for The State and Atlanta Constitution Newspapers.  Before Arthur could ask for the job, HE HAD ONE!  He tried out at 5 pm, issued a uniform at 6:30 pm, played in the game that night at 7:30 pm and collected 2 hits and made 2 outstanding plays at second base in his first game as a professional!

Later he was dubbed the “Pride of Red Bank” with headlines in the paper the next day that read: “RED BANK BOY MAKES GOOD” for hitting an inside-the-park homerun against the Augusta Cardinals in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Columbia the win and place them in a tie for first place.  For his heroics that September 4, 1946 night, Arthur received $25 from owner Earl Blue, and $100 from Columbia City councilman, Lester Bates.  A capacity crowd of 1,986 packed Capital City Park to witness little Arthur Williamson’s mighty blow!

After leaving the Columbia Reds, Arthur signed with the Rock Hill Chiefs in the Chicago White Sox organization.  There he played 2 years and was awarded a gold watch for being the “Most Popular Player”!

Arthur enjoyed many events such as those above: especially the 6 holes in one he collected during his life as an amateur golfer in the lowcountry.  But he always was heard saying: there’s nothing like watching your children compete and excel: David (deceased) – Furman University-Football, Jimmy – Clemson University-Football, Lynn University of South Carolina-Business, and Melvin – The Citadel-Baseball with all receiving post graduate degrees.

His loving kindness and no-nonsense approach to life will be missed by all of those who knew him.  His life’s theme was: No matter what you did in life; give it 110%.  Never cheat yourself out of the chance to excel by not giving your best.  Throughout his life his greatest accomplishment was how he protected and provided for his family.  He always felt it was not up to anybody else to make us give our best.  For 91 years he did just that! GAVE HIS BEST!

In addition to his children, he is survived by his daughters-in-law, Sissy Williamson, Jen Williamson and Debbie Williamson; son-in-law, Burt Bazzle; 9 grandchildren; and 5 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Oveda; son, David; and grandson, Brett.

From his family, we offer our heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at Royal Oaks Assisted Living in Summerville for 14 years of love and devotion to our parents, Arthur and Oveda Williamson.  We will be forever grateful.

Arthur Williamson’s funeral will be held at The First Baptist Church of Walterboro, 124 South Memorial Avenue, Walterboro, at 11 am, Saturday, July 18, 2015.  Our childhood and family friend, Reverend Jim Williams, Jr. will officiate the service.  Following the service the family will receive friends the Fellowship Hall at the church.  Mr. Williamson will be laid to rest at a private family gathering at Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery.

ARRANGEMENTS BY: THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.  Visit our online registry at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.