Rusty William Vernon Williamson, 74, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away February 22, 2026.
The family will receive visitors from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Lighthouse Funeral Home, located at 3707 Wolflin Ave., Amarillo, Texas, 79102. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Encounter Church Amarillo, located at 200 Tascosa Rd., Amarillo, Texas. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 14200 I-27, Amarillo, Texas.
Rusty was born August 10, 1951, in Amarillo, Texas, to William E. Williamson and Margaret Gibbs Williamson. He grew up in Amarillo, Texas, and graduated from the Missouri Military Academy. He went on to graduate from West Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
Rusty spent his life serving his community. He was an entrepreneur and owned numerous businesses in the Amarillo area. He was a Red Coat Member of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce for 15 years. He really enjoyed the ribbon-cutting ceremonies and judging the Chamber barbecue. He loved meeting and talking with new people, as he never met a stranger.
He was the supervising umpire for the Amarillo Senior Softball Association, where he met and made many friends whom he loved. Rusty was a board member for the Amarillo Apartment Association. Rusty was a Potter County Reserve Deputy Sheriff for many years.
Rusty and Doris married on June 27, 1986. Two families became one. If you knew Rusty, you knew that he was very passionate about his family and friends. He was present for every event of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He coached baseball for his children and grandchildren. He was always present and just a phone call away, no matter the time or day; we always knew he would be there. That was no small feat considering that he had 7 children, 16 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.
Rusty loved going to Ruidoso, New Mexico. He loved skiing, fishing, and just enjoying the local atmosphere. He adored his dogs, Gizmo and Shiloh.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Laverne Williamson; his sons, William Jason Williamson, Christopher Williamson, Lane Simpson, Shane Simpson, and Cody Deas; his daughters, Dawn Torres and Roxana Roy; 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by more nieces, nephews and cousins.
I first meet Rusty at diamond Shamrock in Amarillo on 24th and Demons Freeway. He was a security guard and he always stopped by to get his coffee or whatever for the night for his shift. He was a security guard for apartment complex up in that area and he stopped by that one night and I was by myself everybody called in . He was in his uniform and he said you turned the gas pumps on. I’ll get Tag numbers. I didn’t have any drive off that night and we’ve known each other ever since and that was back in the early 90s. He was a good person a good man, he will be missed love and prayers to the family.
At “old man softball “, which my hubby plays, I would always give Rusty a hard time about his calls (in a joking, fun manner, Lol). He got to where when he saw me before the games he would say, “Are you gonna help me tonight?”
He will definitely be missed!!!
I had the pleasure of visiting with Rusty at many functions of the Chamber and Apartment Association. He also was the umpire for several of my son’s softball games. He was a good friend and will be missed.