Belton 'B. D. Derrel Williamson's Obituary
was born December 1, 1932 to Alfred Frances (Jack) Williamson and Ida Boles Williamson, about one and one-half mile northeast of downtown Frankston, Texas. The family also lived south of Frankston in Hollywood Community and Sand Flat Community in later years. He started school in 1939 while living in Sand Flat. His father purchased Grover Northcutt Blacksmith Shop in 1940 and built the shop and house on East Main Street. This is where Belton grew up, working in the shop. He graduated from Frankston High School in May 1950. Belton attended Henderson County Junior College for one semester and then joined the United States Marine Corps in February 1951, receiving his training in California and later serving in Korea during the Korean Campaign. After receiving an honorable discharge due to his father’s illness, he returned to Frankston and worked in the blacksmith shop while his father was ill. He attended college at this time also, working toward an Engineering degree at Tyler Junior College and Henderson County Junior College. In 1953, he married Carole Dansby. They had two children, Belton Jr., born in 1954 and Teresa Lynn, born in 1959. Belton worked in job shops, construction work, and a chemical plant in the area. He started working on foreign oil and gas projects in 1966, working in 27 different countries and visiting another 30 countries over 20 years. During this time, he became known by many as “B. D.” He started as a pipeline welder and was progressively promoted to supervisor, construction manager, project manager and operations manager. Belton worked primarily in the Middle East, but also worked in the Far East, West Africa, England, Norway, Egypt and Chile. B. D. spoke four languages: English, Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese. In 1988, he married Bernice Brehm. They lived in Frankston on Lake Palestine for 8 years, moved to Terrell and later to Hillsboro, TX. After 1987, he worked as a Quality Control Inspector, Chief Senior Welding Inspector, performing welding inspection on pipelines and stations until 2006. He was preceded in death by an infant brother in 1931, his father in 1962, first wife, Carole in 1984, brother Billy Jack in 1994, mother Ida in 1996 and son Belton Jr. in 1997. He is survived by his second wife of 19 years, Bernice; daughter Dr. Teresa Harris and husband, Dan; granddaughter, Lauren Harris; grandson Mason Harris; stepson, Jack Teel and wife Theresa; step granddaughter Tracey Buchholz and husband Micah; step-grandson, Matthew Teel; stepdaughter Betty Swain (daughter of Carole Dansby Williamson) and family (Richard Sr., Ben and family, Lynn Merworth and family, Richard Jr. and family); sister-in-law Carol Williamson and niece Dr. Deborah Williamson. Family will receive friends from 6 to 7 PM Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at Restland Funeral Home. Services will be 10 AM, Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at Restland Wildwood Chapel.
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