Well-known Virginia forester killed in freak accident

Smokey the Bear lost a friend....
In memory ... Alex Williamson of Halifax County, Virginia.
Mr. Williamson was a 35-year employee of the Virginia Department of Forestry and well known throughout the Commonwealth and other states. He often visited students in local schools accompanied by Smokey the Bear. He was an Air Force veteran during the Vietnam era of 1968-72.

Police and emergency workers from Halifax, South Boston, and surrounding areas approached the church.

Virginia Forestry sent all available vehicles to the funeral.

An overflow crowd stood outside the church where speakers were set up so they could hear the funeral service.

Burial was in the church cemetery. He was honored with a 21-gun salute.

Taps....

Hundreds turned out for the funeral on a beautiful, warm day in Halifax County, Virginia.

The unexpected death of Mr. Williamson brought family and friends from the many organizations he was a part of including American Legion Post #8 and VFW Post #8243, lifetime member of the Turbeville Volunteer Fire Department, honorary member of South Boston Fire Department, member of Farm Bureau Board of Directors, honorary member of the FFA, member of the Department of Forestry Honor Guard, and a lifetime member of Calvary United Methodist Church.

A freak accident took the life of Alex (pronounced "Alec") Williamson who died Saturday after being struck in the head by a two-foot metal disk that crashed through the windshield and struck him in the head as he was driving toward Statesville, NC. The object had either blown off another vehicle or was kicked up off I-40 about 8:00 Friday evening. Other passengers, including his wife, were slightly injured. The accident took place just inside Iredell County, North Carolina.

The Gazette Virginian has the obituary and story.

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant...." -- Matthew 25:21

Photos by Alex
17 March 2010