Collin Edward Williamson, the son of Lester L. and Esther M. (Nailor) Williamson, was born on November 23, 1946 in Carroll, Iowa and died June 16, 2020 at Audubon Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 73 years, 6 months, and 23 days.
Collin was baptized, confirmed, and remained a member at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon. Growing up, Collin worked on the family farm growing and caring for various row crops. On several occasions he attended Camp Sunnyside in Des Moines, Iowa, which was a camp for children with disabilities. It was here that he took classes in and developed a love for woodworking. He was so enamored with woodworking that when his time attending the camps was done, the camp gave him much of their woodworking equipment. Collin attended Audubon Community Schools, graduating from Audubon High School with the Class of 1964.
Following graduation, Collin worked in his parents’ upholstery shop in Audubon and at a car repair shop in Coon Rapids. He also began working for the City of Audubon, mowing grass in the city parks and the fairgrounds when it was nice out and helping drive the truck for snow removal in the winters. This was a job that he held throughout his life and truly enjoyed. He was a man who loved being outside and enjoying the fresh air.
A highlight from this time in his life was a church trip he took with several friends to Alaska. It was not unusual to hear stories from this time period, and he always wanted to make a return trip.
On June 25, 1977, Collin was united in marriage to Sharlene Hansen at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon. Sharlene brought three children into this union: Charles, Donald, and Becky. The family lived on Collin’s farm until the late 1980s when they moved into Audubon. Following graduation, Charles settled in Missouri, so the family made frequent trips to Branson on vacations. This was especially fun for Collin as he loved country music and always took in several shows on each trip. Sharlene and Collin enjoyed traveling together whenever they were able to do so.
Collin’s love for woodworking carried from Camp Sunnyside well into adulthood. He built many items, including shelves, birdhouses, crosses and toys, which he would often give as gifts at Christmas time and was sometimes able to sell. He was even commissioned to create a few toys for specific children. Collin was proud to have been made an honorary member of the Pony Express and attended often for Camp Sunnyside in Des Moines, Iowa, a camp for children with disabilities, where he taught wood working classes.
He was a gregarious, sociable man who would introduce himself to anyone and everyone and loved having conversations with them. Collin lived at his home with Sharlene until late 2018 when he moved to the Exira Care Center.
Collin was preceded in death by his parents, Lester L. and Ether M. Williamson; his sister, Connie Wheeler; and his parents-in-law, Arthur P. and Cora Hansen.
Survivors include his wife, Sharlene Williamson of Audubon; his step-children: Charles and wife Bernadette Heiner of Spickard, Missouri; Donald Heiners of Audubon; and Becky and husband Mark Anderson of Weatherford, Texas; his brother-in-law, Jim Wheeler; his nephew, Lucas and wife Samantha Wheeler; four step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; his uncle, Greg and wife Rosemary Williamson; as well as many neighbors and friends.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will follow immediately at 2:00 P.M. at Kessler Funeral Home with Pastor Steven Frock officiating. Urn bearers will be Charles Heiners and Donald Heiners. Inurnment will take place at a later date.
The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of the Exira Care Center and Audubon Memorial Hospital for the exceptional care and support given to Collin.
