W. Moodye Williamson
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W. Moodye Williamson
December 20, 1912 - October 6, 2011
Moodye, as he was known to everyone, was personified by his commitment and accomplishments. He was born in Caldwell, Texas, to Walter Lee Williamson and Minnie Van Meter Williamson, on December 20, 1912. Moodye had an incredible sense of commitment and responsibility, which fueled his life.
In 1928, his father came to Beaumont and found work at Magnolia refinery. Moodye was instructed to move the family to Beaumont and he accomplished this by putting his mother and brother in the passenger car of the train from Mumford to Beaumont. Moodye rode in a box car with their furniture in one end and two milk cows in the other.
Moodye graduated from Beaumont High School and attended Jefferson County Junior College, the forerunner of Lamar University. He was accepted into the Naval Academy but was not able to attend because his father became ill. Moodye had to find a job and help support the family.
After working at the commissary in Magnolia refinery and as a butcher, he got a job as a salesman for Houston Packing Company. He traveled Jefferson and Orange counties and made lifelong friendships with the families that owned meat markets.
In 1938, he met and married Jane Shepherd Williamson. They spent forty-seven years building a life together. They shared a love for the Shepherd family vacation home on the Neches River, known as Camp Clark, as well as traveling, gardening, spending time at their beach house, and hosting numerous parties at their Three Cedars Farm. Their relationship built a foundation to never quit on each other and work through whatever hardships came their way.
Jane preceded him in death in 1985. Together, Moodye and Jane had two children, Albert Edward Williamson and Sherrill Williamson Riley. Moodye was a loving father who led by example and offered his unconditional support and love throughout his children’s lives. He was ecstatic to welcome three granddaughters into his life, Kimberly Williamson, Kristin Williamson, and Megan Riley. Moodye was active in his grandchildren’s lives, supporting their dancing, horseback competitions, and music recitals. He was amazed to become a great-grandfather to two great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons. His love for them led him to attend even more dance recitals and attend the boys’ baseball camps and fishing trips.
Throughout the years, Moodye worked to make Beaumont a community to be proud of by organizing and involving himself in numerous civic organizations. Moodye was the owner of the Williamson Insurance Agency and Real Estate office. He was active in the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, The Young Men’s Business League, Beaumont Farm and Ranch Club, The Coastal Cattle Association, The Future Farmers of America, The Boy Scouts Three Rivers District, The University Insurance Committee, a founding member of the Village State Bank which later became Central Bank, Lamar University Insurance Committee, and a founding member of Lamar University Cardinal Club. Moodye served as President of the Board at one time to each of these organizations and enjoyed a long relationship with each of them.
Through his involvement at First United Methodist Church, Moodye met Elaine Smith Shell and they married in 1998. They enjoyed gardening together, serving Thanksgiving dinners at the church, and were committed to each other for thirteen years. Moodye was predeceased by his mother father, brother, Franklin, sister, and his first wife, Jane Sheperd Williamson. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Smith Shell Williamson; son, Albert Williamson and his wife, Charlotte; daughter, Sherrill Riley and her husband, Jim; grandchildren, Kim McAtee and her husband, John; Kristin Beal and her husband, Trey; and Megan Riley Langston and her husband, Brent; five great-grandchildren, Jane Ellen McAtee, Katherine McAtee, Kyle Beal, Jordan Beal, and Blake Beal.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Moodye’s caregivers, Gloria Renfro, Neoma Robinson, and Cystal Robinson, who spent countless hours taking care of Moodye and his wife, Elaine.
The family would also like to thank the physicians who so lovingly attended to Moodye and who he considered his trusted friends, Dr.
Joe Holland, Dr. George Thomas, and Dr. Denton Harris.
His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday October 10, 2011, at First United Methodist Church, 701 Calder Avenue in Beaumont, with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will be Sunday, October 9, 2011, 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., at Broussard’s.
Serving as pallbearers are Roy Philp III, David Brookshire, Richard Brooks, Will Crenshaw, S.L. Greenberg, Dan Rogas, and Bill Watkins. Honorary pallbearers include Kyle Beal, Jordan Beal, Blake Beal, Jane Ellen McAtee, and Katherine McAtee.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Lamar University Athletic Department, P. O. Box 10009, Beaumont, Texas 77710 or First United Methodist Church, 701 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
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