Mendenhall
Funeral Home
Tutor Funeral Home
Visitation
Tutor Funeral Home, Mendenhall,
Sunday, 1- 2 pm, May 26.
Service
Tutor Funeral Home, Mendenhall,
Sunday, 2 pm, May 26, followed by graveside service at Campbell’s Creek Baptist Church cemetery.
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Airman and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on May 22, 2024, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Chief Master Sergeant Kirby C. Williamson, age 73, who served in the MSANG within the 172d Airlift Wing has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Airman. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Obituary, Visitation, and Service Details:
On May 22, 2024, Kirby Williamson passed away at 73. He was known for his good humor, his love of the outdoors, and his military service. He retired with a Chief Master Sergeant rank from the Mississippi Air National Guard and made many friends and many good memories during his 35 years at the base. He enjoyed Guard parties, coached the ladies’ softball team, cooked at various events, and drove the all-important beer cart at golf tournaments.
Kirby graduated from Wingfield High School in 1968. He raised his family in Jackson until 1995 when he and TexAnn moved to Mendenhall. They bought land and set up house beside his brother, Gary and his family and his parents, Dorman and Florene. The brothers spent a lot of time together, maintaining the property and shooting the breeze, and were very close. Country life suited Kirby well. He enjoyed his pond, his 4-wheeler, his tractor, and watching the movement of wildlife on his property. He liked fishing, hunting, and time with friends and family. He enjoyed deer camp, music, and a well-told story. He was patriotic and he was kind. Kirby was a man of integrity and a balanced blend of strength and compassion.
His devotion to his family was extraordinary. Kirby accepted primary responsibility as advocate and caregiver for his wife and best friend, TexAnn, during her long decline in health due to Alzheimer’s. His expression of devotion to her is a reminder of what it means to love and take care of one another. He endured much during this difficult time, all without complaint. He acted with a strong desire to care for TexAnn to the best of his ability while shielding his family from the pressures associated with watching someone you love lose themselves and their independence.
Many people were enriched by their relationship with Kirby, none more so than his two children, Liz and Justin. He was a wonderful man and made for a loving and fun upbringing. Our fond memories of our father are deep. We hope that the example he provided of how to be a good human will influence how we handle life’s ups and downs. May he rest in peace. We love you, Dad.
He is survived by his children, Liz Williamson and Justin Williamson and his wife, Lalainya; his brother, Gary Williamson and his wife Jean; sister, Sandra Jane Rushing, and he kept in close contact with TexAnn’s sister, Freda Walker; all of whom feel fortunate to have known Kirby. Godspeed, friend.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at Tutor Funeral Home in Mendenhall, MS from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM. Bro. Greg Winningham will officiate the service at Tutor Funeral Home at 2:00 PM with interment following in Campbell’s Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.