Wayne John Williamson, age 63, CDR US Navy (Retired), originally from Glenshaw, PA. He resided in Atlantic, PA, where he passed away tragically in a house fire, on Monday, December 18, 2017.  

He was born May 17, 1954 in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Wayne J. and Jeannette (Orzel) Williamson. He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Patricia (Hoffman); and his loving four sisters, Patsy Williamson of Pacific Palisades, CA; Marylou (Perry New) Williamson of Allison Park, PA; Judith Brumfield-Ott of Glenshaw, PA; and Hilary (Lee) Meister of Allison Park, PA.  He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, cousins and in-laws.

Wayne was preceded in death by his beloved sisters (infant) Jacqueline Williamson and Vivian (Francis) Williamson-Bryan of St Thomas, VI.

He leaves behind his canine companion, Merlin, rabbits, and several cats. Wayne was a loving husband, caring brother, loyal and generous friend and cherished his time with all.

Wayne was a career Navy officer. During this period, Wayne served on both a submarine (USS Richard B Russell S5N687) and surface ship (USS California CGN36). He managed a fuel farm on Guam in the early 1990s. Some assignments included, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Bremerton, WA and FL. Most recently, he was working as a Contracting Officer at Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) in Philadelphia, PA in subsistence suppliers operations/troop support.  Wayne was dedicated to his work and patriotism doing whatever was necessary to support the troops.  During his work at DLA, Wayne had an 18month assignment at the US Embassy in Uzbekistan.

Wayne loved traveling and seeing the world. He took a break from academia to pursue this passion. His adventures started with work as a crewman on board the Brigantine Romance, departing in June 1978 from St Thomas, USVI  through the South Pacific to Hawaii, where he established residency for a year before returning to the mainland to continue his academic life. Wayne had a never-ending quest for knowledge. 

He was a 1972 graduate of Shaler Area High School. He graduated from CCAC and the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford. He attended the University of Chicago and Carnegie Mellon University. He also graduated from Duquesne University, and earned Masters Degrees from the University of Kansas and the Naval War College in Rhode Island.

Upon retirement, Wayne and Patty returned to Pennsylvania and continued their travels. He enjoyed target shooting, old comic books, artwork, Corvettes, motorcycles, playing his guitar, swimming, and watching old movies. Wayne was a member of the NRA and several shooting clubs. Wayne’s dry sense of humor and quick wit was unparalleled, something he relished using at every given opportunity. He will be dearly loved and truly missed.

An additional memorial service will be held at 1:30pm on Friday, May 18, 2018 in Warchol Funeral Home Inc., 3060 Washington Pike Brideville, PA. Friends may call the funeral home from 11:00am until the time of service. Committal prayers and military honors will proceed the service in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Bridgeville, PA. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Strayhaven Animal Shelter, 94 Donation Rd., Greenville, PA 16125.