Danny "Dan" Williamson

Danny “Dan” Gail Williamson passed peacefully from this world on March 2, 2019.  He was surrounded by his family as he took his last breath at his home on the lake. Dan was born on September 29, 1950 in Taloga, Oklahoma to Linn and Geraldine Williamson.  As a young man they lived in Fritch, Texas before moving to Lovington, New Mexico.  Dan was the younger (and often mischievous) brother to Diana Lynn.  Dan and Diana were inseparable throughout their entire lives.

Visitation is 5:30-7 p.m. Monday at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Bridgeport.

Dan was an outstanding athlete excelling in baseball and football.  He helped the Lovington Wildcats win the 1968 Class A State Football Championship.  As reported at the time “with time waning in the fourth quarter, tight end Danny Williamson got open on a ‘Sam across’ pattern, snagged the pass and headed for the end zone in the snow.  No less than five Aztec players sought to bring him down, but Danny was not to be denied, carrying multiple defenders on his back as he plowed in for the winning touchdown.” 

Dan graduated in 1969 from Lovington High School and briefly played football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.  He went to work in the oilfields of the Permian Basin and started as a roustabout for a major oil company and climbed the ladder until he became a Senior Oil and Gas Production Manager.  In 1995, Dan decided to embark on his own business venture in the oilfield safety industry.  He founded “SafetyFirst” and operated it successfully until his retirement in 2016. 

Dan was the father of two sons, Allen Linn Williamson and Russ Wayne Williamson.   Dan was a wonderful father who encouraged his children in all their endeavors.  He attended not only every sporting event, but attended most practices as well.  

In 2003, he and his son, Allen and his best friend Gabino Rosa started a pipeline company.  Dan loved the comradery of the oilfield and grew extremely close to all of his employees whom he always considered “family.”

Danny was a successful man in every area of his life, but his greatest success and the highlight of his life was his grandchildren.  He adored his three grandchildren and made every volleyball game, soccer game and dance recital.  Even as his health was fading, he made a point to spend as much time with his grandchildren as he could.  His favorite pastime was watching them swim in the lake from the vantage of his back porch.   

Danny enjoyed life to the fullest.  He loved to golf, fish and play cards.  He often said he wanted to live his life in a such a way as to have “no regrets.”  He succeeded. 

Dan was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.  He leaves behind his sons and their spouses, Allen (Mendee) and Russ (Shawn); his beloved grandchildren Jessica, Amber and Aaron; his devoted sister Diana Irving; niece Emmy McNeal and his great nephew Jaxon; along with dear friends: Gabino Rosa, Tony, Kelly, Cory & Ryane Haley as well as a host of relatives and friends.           

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