Craig D. Williamson, 50, of Leola, went home to be with the Lord, on Friday, March 18, 2011 under the care of Lancaster County Hospice. He was the beloved husband of Sheila Gill Hershey Williamson, with whom he shared eight years of marriage.
Born on December 31, 1960, he was the son of John F. and Emily Damon Williamson of Kennedyville, MD. He was a member of the Brandywine Valley Ski Assoc., Lancaster Kayak Club, and Hyner View Hang Gliding.
He attended the Parkesburg Mennonite Church.
Craig is survived, in addition to his wife and parents, by his son Damon Williamson, fiancé of Brittany Winther, of Pottstown, one grandson, Ayden Williamson; siblings, John "Jack" F. Williamson Jr., husband of Lee, of Coatesville and Wendy Knight of Chestertown, MD, and his nieces and nephews; and stepchildren, David Hershey, husband of Toni, of Manheim and Crystal Freund, wife of Lorne, of Lancaster.
He was predeceased by his son, Oliver Williamson.
The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 1 PM at the Millwood Mennonite Church, Amish Rd., Gap, PA. Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation at the Church from 12 to 1 PM.
Donations may be made in Craig's name to the Hospice of Lancaster County, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg. Online condolences can be posted at
www.wildefuneralhome.com
Condolences
On Craig's Passing
I will always remember Craig flying high above the river, free as a bird. I am so sorry that he is gone and so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.
Dear Sheila, Emily, John &
Dear Sheila, Emily, John & family,
I am praying for your strength & the support of loved ones as you get through these dark, sad days. Craig was a special person & will be missed. I was just looking at pictures of Jim & Craig at some Massey events & can't believe that they are both gone. If you need me, I am here for you.
Love to you all,
Jill
Craig
Dear Emily and John and family,
We are very, very sorry to hear of Craig's passing and our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time and into the months to come. You are a strong family and we pray for your continued strenght and peace now.
Take Care,
The DePhillips Family
Sheila, we all know Craig
Sheila, we all know Craig will be very missed! If it wasn't for the trip you and Craig had in Maine last year, I wouldn't have a new love - Kayaking! I'm so glad I got to know you and Craig. You both will be in my thoughts and prayers. Loren xo
Our Thoughts
Dear Williamson family,
We are so sorry to learn of the passing of Craig. We will always remember him soaring over our heads on the Sassafras River. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this very difficult time.
The Miller & Robinson Family
Craig
Dear John, Emily and Sheila:
Genny and I were saddened to learn of the Craig's death. Please accept the Dunne family condolences over your painful loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Christopher and Genny Dunne of Kennedyville
Craig
Sheila, Jerry and I are saddened to hear of Craig's passing. It was our pleasure to have gotten to know him. It is our loss that our time with him was so brief. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Craig
Sheila, John and Emily,
I am very sad to hear that Craig has passed. We will miss his wit, laughter and always positive views on life no matter what was put in front of him in the way of physical challenges. We will keep Craig and you his family in our prayers.
Howard, Adam and Sarah Edson
Sheila and Family
As a neighbor and frequent member of the New Holland Rec Center I would often see Craig at the gym and always in the neighborhood with his Kayak attached to his truck. Our prayers and condolences to the entire family.
Walt and I are so sad to hear
Walt and I are so sad to hear of Craig's passing. We will keep you in our thoughts. Wishing you peace and strength.
Craig
Dear John,Emily,Wendy,and Sheila,
We are so sorry to hear of Craig's passing. He always was such a good natured person and was such a pleasure to be around. We are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Craig will be greatly missed.
Chloe Knight and Mary Anne Spencer
Craig
Emily, John and Family,
May you find strength in your wonderful memories of Craig, to get you through this very difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Gail & John Bradley
Note to Sheila
Dear Sheila,
Our prayers are with you in this time of loss. May you find God's peace and strength to be sufficient for all your need. May you cherish the good times you had with Craig as your families are together and as you find your way. Heaven seems closer when we lose a loved one.
Love and prayer,
Warren and Linda
Our thoughts and prayers are with you....
Dear Sheila,
Les and I were so saddened by the news of Craig's passing. May you have comfort that he is at peace with the lord.
God Bless,
Wendy and Les
Dear Sheila, Emily, John, and
Dear Sheila, Emily, John, and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Craig will always be remembered for his wonderful smile, kind hello, and hours of kayaking on the Sassafras with his little dog. He will be greatly missed this year and forever, as the warm winds blow across the River and our hearts go with him on the gentle breeze.
Take care, God Bless,
Julie and Paul
Craig's passing...
Shiela and family, Emily & John:
We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you at this time of difficulty, and trust that the Lord will provide the peace that transcends all understanding.
With God's Love,
Greg & Joyce
Craig's passing...
Shiela and family, Emily & John:
We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you at this time of difficulty, and trust that the Lord will provide the peace that transcends all understanding.
With God's Love,
Greg & Joyce
Sheila, Ernie and I were very
Sheila,
Ernie and I were very sorry to hear of your husband's passing. You are often in our memories and know you are in our prayers.
My heart goes out to the
My heart goes out to the entire Williamson family. This is truely a sad time for all of you. Just hold those good memories closest to your hearts. I can recall alot of fun with Craig as well as the entire family on the Sassafras. Just think of him now, flying high above all of us.
Craig's Passing
Sheila and the Williamson Family,
May Craig be remembered for soaring above and cruising along the waters of the Sassafras. He now soars high above...free of suffering and pain, yet understandably misssed in your lives. May you find peace and comfort in God's love and the support of so many friends and family, especially in the KP community. He will be missed.
With Deepest Condolences, Linda and Joe Giardinelli
Craig
To the Williamson Family....
We hope you find strength in your memories of Craig, to help you through this very difficult time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Bob and Patty Nelson and Family
Kentmore Park
Dear Sheila, Aunt Emily, Uncle Johnny, Jack, Damon and family
We are all so sorry to hear of Craig passing. He will be missed terribly.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love you all,
Amy, Kathy, Bud, and Abby Damon
Dear Emily and John, We
Dear Emily and John,
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Lura and Albert
Please allow me to offer our
Please allow me to offer our sympathy upon the passing of Craig. I fondly remember such fine times we all shared in Kentmore and take consolation in those memories. Craig was truly one of the kind gentlemen in this world and will be missed.
Sincerely,
Mark & Alena Greco
Thinking of you all...
Sheila, Aunt Emily, Uncle John, and family:
We are sending our love and prayers to you all as you begin to process the loss of Craig. He was a lovely and funny person who will be missed terribly by those lucky enough to have had him in their lives.
Sheila
Nicki and I have an adoption meeting on Saturday. I just wanted to say that I love you and your family!
Craig's passing
Sheila,
May the loneliness and sadness you are feeling today soon be replaced with beautiful memories of yesterdays. Craig has given all of us so much inspiration. His love of life made us all a better person just knowing him. May God bless you and give you strength to get through the difficult days ahead.
Fondly, Doris and Dave King (friends from BVSA)
Sheila, I am so sorry to hear
Sheila,
I am so sorry to hear about Craig's passing. Your faith and trust in God will get you through this difficult time. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Chris
In Loving Memory of My Mentor and Kayaking Buddy
In the short time I knew Craig he taught me many things about kayaking but so much more about life. He truly loved every minute of his life and lived it to the fullest. His energy and spirit never ceased to amaze me. I will truly miss his guidance through the wind on Marsh Creek and his endless jokes, many of which came so fast that I must admit, they went right over my head. And to my dear friend Sheila, please know that you and the rest of Craig's wonderful family are in my thoughts and prayers. Please also know that i will be there for you as you proceed through life's journey. Thanks for being my friend. I love you.
My sister Sidney and I are
My sister Sidney and I are very sorry to hear of your loss. We first met Craig when he came over on his bike to visit Dad--they were good friends from hang-gliding. I was glad Dad had a young friend...it said a lot about Craig's character that they would hang out together, given their age difference. We all enjoyed Craig's sunny disposition and loved hearing him and Dad laughing over their shared adventures. Dad (Bill Knowles Jr.) went home to be with the Lord in 2007 at the age of 100 and now they are together again and having more fun than ever! With this note we send our condolences to Sheila, and John and Emily and your family with love from Sidney and Janie Knowles
Bill, Janice, Megan, Sparky,
Bill, Janice, Megan, Sparky, and family:
Our hearts are with you in sorrow for your loss and rejoicing in Craig's victory over the sting of death. To live is Christ...to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
craig's passing
I am so sorry to hear about Craig's passing. His vibrant smile and positive outlook on life will always be remembered. I have vivid memories of our days on "the Point" and the beach across from our house. I can still hear the engine on the Correct Craft, knowing another kite is soaring over the river. With these memories I pray for your family and and know that Craig will be sorely missed upon my visits back home.
Love, Marcia Greco Kane