Gordon Williamson

You are the older brother that I never had. Room mates aboard the USS Constellation with VF-92 flying F4 Phantoms over the friendly skies of Vietnam. I was in your wedding. You were the best man at mine. Fishing. Hunting. Going to the "Yotes and Mustang" football games. Standing tall together when the stadium announcer asked we Vietnam Vets be honored. Working in wood. Teaching each other how to smoke salmon. Helping you farm in Mitchell, SD. Dodging SAMS and AAA. Sharing the sad times over lost shipmates, and the good times over new grand kids and family. All of these things were part of my time spent with who I will always consider, not only my brother in arms, but my big brother and teacher and best friend. Check six shipmate. And may all of your landings be OK three's. The memories of a full life shared. Rest in peace brother.

Gordy was a very special guy. I left Mitchell for the Army in 1961 & moved to California in 1964 so was mostly an email buddy. About 1980 Gordy called from San Diego & wanted my Son Steve & Andy Props' son Mike to come to San Diego for a tour of an Aircraft Carrier. The boys were about 10 years old & will never forget that tour. I was one class ahead of Gordy in Mitchell but each time I came to town for a Mitchell High Class reunion he would come visit me & we would often get a steak at Chef Louie's. Great guy!! RIP Gordy!!

Gordy and I were Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers at USD and friends for many years thereafter. He was a great Beta and person and will be missed by all who knew him.

He was a great neighbor. I enjoyed our many visits. He helped me sight in my rifles. He was proud of his apple trees. He talked to me about his time flying in the service and how he got to be a pilot. I will miss him as he was a great man

Gordon and I met back in 1975 when we were both on active duty with the Navy and serving with Tactical Air Control Squadron ONE. Although we were both originally from South Dakota we were not related by blood but we were now in the Navy family. There just happened to be one other Williamson in our 80 person squadron. Again, no relation. Gordon was a Lieutenant Commander and I was an up an coming enlisted Sailor who eventually retired as a Commander. Gordon was a role model and (as we say in the Navy) a good shipmate. Fair winds and following seas!!

Our deepest sympathy to you Alana and family. We are deeply saddened by Gordy‘s passing. Our first encounter with Gordy was more than 25 years ago when he answered an ad regarding training our hunting dogs. From that day to this it was instant friendship. Gordy was not only a friend who helped us guide when we had pheasant hunters he attended birthday parties graduations holidays went fishing with the guys he even went to Arizona with us. Gordy was family! One of my most proud memories of Gordy and there are many was when we took him to see the movie Top Gun. Gordy got out of his car wearing the flight jacket and carrying his helmet that he had worn when he flew jets off the USS Constellation Aircraft carrier during the Vietnam war. He had this huge smile on his face and you could see how proud he was, and rightly so. Thank you Gordy for serving our country we are so proud of you. Forever missed will be his calls, the lunches the jokes the fishing trips and that crazy smile, and the red cowboy boots!

Sorry to hear of Gordie's passing.