Arvel F. Williamson, son of the late Oscar Franklin Williamson and Ollie Pry Williamson Hobbs, was born on March 29, 1912, in Zadock and died in the Golden Living Center at Bloomfield on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, at the age of 95.

Mr. Williamson was of the Baptist faith, a retired carpenter and a resident of Dexter.

He was united in marriage to Francis Fay Rankln on May 12, 1935, at Bloomfield. Mrs. Williamson preceded him in ldeath on Feb. 8, 1996.

Survivors include one son, Jerry Elmer Williamson of Dongola, Ill.; four daughters, Betty Ivester of Scott City, Emma Nell Kimbrel of Bloomfield, Dorothy Dawes and Janus Kling, both of Goreville, Ill.; 20 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Arvel Lonell Williamson; four brothers, Kenneth Williamson, Herman Williamson, Weldon Williamson, and Marvin Williamson; five sisters, Lucille Spangler, Edith Scism, Oma Matthews, Louise Neal and Emma Williamson.

Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Funeral services will then be conducted at 2 p.m. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jerry Williamson, Jr. officiating.

Interment will follow in the Oak Ridge Cemetery near Bloomfield.