James Reneau Williamson

James Reneau Williamson (Jim) passed away April 28, 2026, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka, with his wife by his side. He was born on August 27, 1952, in Ottawa, to Charles Reneau Williamson and Lorena Jane Bisbee.

Jim attended Ottawa Public Schools and graduated from Ottawa High School. He lived in Kansas for the majority of his life. After graduating high school, he worked on a survey crew in Illinois. Many of his working years, he operated Williamson Coal and Salvage, initially in business with his father and later as the sole operator. In his late forties, Jim went back to school and became a nurse. He worked a brief time as a nurse, having to retire due to health issues.

He had many passions and interests; among them were antiques, history, music, and hunting, with hunting being at the top of the list. For many years, he hunted "the flats" during duck and goose season. Along with hunting, he enjoyed training his dogs, which always turned out to be as stellar in the chase as he was. While there were a series of dogs over the years, they were always considered part of the family rather than just hunting companions.

Along with hunting, he was interested in related issues such as wildlife conservation and hunting safety. In 1986, he received a Kansas Wildlife Conservation Award for establishing food plots for wildlife. He was also a volunteer instructor in Kansas, teaching gun safety for many years.

He married Kathryn Nesch (Williamson) in 1978, and they had a son, Jacob, in 1983. Jim was a very active dad, particularly in scouting with Jacob. He took a group of scouts, including Jacob, to Philmont and was active in Troop 74, which at the time had accumulated 110 consecutive campouts. Jacob and his dad also enjoyed a series of hunting trips to Wyoming. Jim also enjoyed traveling with Kathryn, and their favorite destination was Wyoming. Jim felt lucky to have been blessed with grandchildren and loved spending time with them.

Jim's favorite holiday was the 4th of July, and there were many memorable 4th of July parties with lots of noise, homemade fireworks, friends, and fun.

In the past couple of years, when his mobility was limited, he enjoyed solving the world's problems at the "Board of Directors" meetings at the Pizza Village on Fridays.

Jim is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kathryn. He is also survived by his son, Jacob (Carrie), and grandchildren, Simon and Sigourney. Other surviving family members include a brother, Steve Williamson, as well as cousins Kelly Moore and Mike Moore, and a niece, Gina Skinner.

Burial will be private. There will be a celebration of life on a date that is not yet determined.

Memorial contributions may be made to Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, 3173 Highway 68 in Ottawa, 66067. Condolences may be sent to PO Box 355, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.