Rondell Williamson

February 20, 1937 – March 18, 2011

      After a long and arduous battle with cancer Rondell Williamson of Bainbridge Island died peacefully on March 18, 2011.

      Ron was thought of by those who knew him and those who regularly trudged after him as the Pied Piper of Bainbridge Island. It was the joy of his retirement years. Since he had spent many years as a runner and had been on the early Trails Committee he knew all the highways and byways, the up hills and down, the beach walks and forest paths on the island. So, when he retired in 1999 he started leading groups of friends on weekly jaunts that scoured the island and often extended to four mile strolls in other areas of Kitsap County and around Seattle, even from West Seattle to Fauntleroy. Therefore In his memory the Bainbridge Park Department is naming a trail in the Grand Forest, one that in the spring is rife with trilliums, after Ron.

      He was born in Seattle on February 20, 1937 to marine photographer Joe Williamson and Evelyn Soames. He attended Meany Junior High in Seattle and graduated from Garfield High School in 1955. At the University of Washington where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity he majored in Business Administration. After graduation he was employed as a procurement manager.

      Ron married Ethelyn (Ethie) Ruth in 1962 and together they made their home n Seattle. In 1969 they moved to Bainbridge Island. On the Island Ron volunteered for many organizations including the Senior Center and the Bainbridge Foundation and was always a participant in the Fourth of July road race. Consequently in 2007 he was honored as the Kiwanis Man of the Year.

      He is survived by wife, Ethie; sister Joanne Hunter; son, David D.; daughter, Jennifer Forster (David); daughter, Emily and grandchildren, Grant and Lauren Forster.

      A memorial will be held at Islandwood on April 10th at 3:00 p.m. Remembrances may be made to “Friends of Emily” at Kitsap Credit Union or Hospice of Kitsap County.

TRIBUTE Paid Notice