Ben "Frank" Williamson, Jr.

Our dad, Ben "Frank" Williamson, Jr., 73, passed away on September 2, 2026, in Bedford, Texas.

Frank was born July 4, 1953, in Dallas, Texas, to Ben and Betty (Rollinson) Williamson. His dad was from Iredell, Texas, and his mom was from Dallas. Being born on the Fourth of July meant that Dad was our very own "firecracker baby," and July 4th was always more than just a holiday in our family—it was Dad's special day.

Some of our happiest memories were made celebrating Dad's birthday at the lake. There were childhood days at Grapevine Lake, years at Hide-A-Way Lake while we were growing up, and later celebrations at Lake Bridgeport. No matter the lake, the years, or how much life changed, being together for Dad's birthday was something special.

Dad married his high-school sweetheart, Karen Paris Williamson, on May 29, 1971. They were married for 47 years, until Mom passed away on September 2, 2018. Dad passed away exactly eight years later, on September 2, 2026. We can't help but see something beautiful in that—that after all those years of loving Mom, Dad's final journey brought him home to her on the very same day.

Dad graduated from Irving High School with the Class of 1972. He attended North Texas State University, studying music, and graduated from Christ For The Nations Institute in 1979. He also completed training at Lindsey-Cooper Refrigeration & HVAC School.

He spent many years working in the HVAC industry before becoming an estimator for David Weekley Homes. In his retirement years, he worked at Home Depot, where he continued doing what Dad always did best—working hard, helping people, and sharing whatever knowledge he had with anyone who needed it.

But Dad was so much more than his work.

He was a Christian, and his faith was an important part of his life. He was a member of Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving, Shady Grove Christian Church in Grand Prairie, and St. Michael's in Grand Prairie. Music was another part of who he was. Dad and Mom sang together with the New Hope Singers at Plymouth Park Baptist Church, and Dad played the trumpet at Shady Grove. He loved classical music, especially Ave Maria and The Three Tenors.

And then there was Dad's sense of humor.

Dad was funny. Sometimes intentionally funny, sometimes unintentionally funny, and sometimes just plain silly—and we loved him for all of it. He especially enjoyed being silly on Facebook and making people laugh. He had a way of bringing humor into a room and making people smile even when they needed it most.

Dad was also a tenderhearted man. He was a sweet soul who loved deeply, even when he didn't always have the words to say it. He loved his three girls—Kim, Carrie, and Kelly—and we always knew we were loved by our dad.

And then came the grandsons.

Dad was very thankful when those boys came along. He loved being a Pawpaw and took great pride in all of his grandchildren. Watching him become "Pawpaw" was one of the sweetest parts of our lives with him. And his great-grandson, Preston "Ace," brought another special kind of joy into his life.

Dad was a mentor to many. He helped people, encouraged people, taught people, and made friends wherever life took him. He rarely met a stranger and almost always had a joke, a story, or a little humor to share.

Dad's life wasn't perfect, because no life is. But it was full of people he loved, a faith that mattered to him, music that moved him, work that gave him purpose, and enough laughter to make the memories last.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Betty Williamson; his beloved wife, Karen; and his grandson, Preston Odette.

He leaves behind his sister, Benita (J.R.) Buzzell; brother, Jack (Misha) Williamson; daughters, Kim Williamson Perryman of Grand Prairie, Carrie (Chris) Edgmon of Southlake, and Kelly (Chris) Laney of Chico; grandchildren Bethany Perryman, Cole and Parker Odette, Jace, Cole, Cooper and Carys Edgmon, Madeline Smith, and Paris and Porter Laney; his great-grandson Preston "Ace" Odette; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

There are so many things we will miss about Dad—his laugh, his silliness, his music, his stories, his humor, and simply knowing he was there.

Most of all, we will miss being his girls.

We find comfort in knowing that Dad is no longer separated from the woman he loved for nearly five decades. After eight years apart, Frank and Karen are together again.

We love you, Dad. We always will.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Colonial Funeral Home in Irving, Texas, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

Frank was a mentor to many, always with a side of humor, and he will be forever cherished by all who knew and loved him.