James David “JD” Williamson, 80 of Jesup died Thursday, December 8, 2016 in the Memorial University and Health Systems in Savannah after a short illness.  The Wayne County native was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, the MAC IV Sunday School Class and Kiwanis Club.  The 33 year retired ITT Rayonier employee worked with the Jesup and Fernandina Beach, Fla. mills and shared his talents with so many people in need with their home repairs.  He was a master craftsman and could fix anything.  His favorite pastimes were salt water fishing, vegetable farming, real estate ventures, traveling and most importantly, being “Papa” to his grandchildren and assisting his wife with the daily operations of Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home. He was predeceased by his son, Joey Williamson; a great grandson, James Daniel Lusher; parents, Irving and Gertrude Crosby Williamson.

Those who will sorely miss him are his wife of 29 years, Linda Rinehart Williamson of Jesup; 3 daughters and sons-in-law, Jane and Pat Brown of Kingsland, Ga., Pam Lusher of Jesup, Ga., Pat and Jim Dieveney of Screven, Ga.; a son, Rex Williamson of Valdosta; a sister, Sarah Richburg of Jesup;  8 grandchildren, Brian Brinkley, Katie (Travis) Brinkley, Jaime (Joshua)  Hughes , Andria (Brock) Oder, Jessica Lusher, Ansley Brown, David (Jennifer) Brown, Clint(Jessie) Williamson, Jess (Travis) Meeks; 15 great grandchildren, Joey, Gabriel, Amelia, Levi, Jackson, Charlotte, Harry, Anna, Caleb, Esther, Gabriel, Savannah, Gracie, Colton and Bobby; extended family, Leslie and Joey Miller, Brice, Maggie and Claire Miller, William and Charlotte Rinehart, Rhett, Ross and Ryker Rinehart; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 3 P.M. Sunday, December 11, 2016 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Vann Dempsey and Rev. Carl Ledbetter officiating. Private family interment will be in the Screven City Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Royce Welch, Bobby Hughes, Don Landon, Derek Landon, Cal Rinehart, David Paul and Sergio Tlacuatl. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of his Sunday school class.

Visitation will be 1 to 3 P.M. prior to services at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.

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