Williamson’s last command as a Sgt. Major was on a troop carrier flying into the jungle to drop, by parachute, food and supplies to the troops. When the war ended Williamson came home to Charlotte in the fall of 1945.

With his Brownie camera he took photos both from the land and air of what he was experiencing. Williamson said he saw “the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, the Taj Mahal.”  The camera is long gone but the pictures are treasured in an album.

Pittsburgh Plate Glass relocated Williamson to Greenville as regional sales manager. In Spartanburg he met his was of 64 years, Allene, and they had three children, Tom, Joey and Missy.

With the ever-changing world of paint and its products, Williamson saw the need for his type of store in Landrum and opened it in 1985.  Tom Williamson manages the store; you can find Joe at the store after his workout at a local gym.

Williamson has remained very active in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg for 40 years; driving there every Sunday to attend.

When asked about being the grand marshall for Landrum’s parade, Williamson said, “I’m Humbled they want me.”
Look and wave to Williamson – he’ll be wearing his Army Air Corps hat.