Dwight Marlin Williamson

Dwight Marlin "Catfish" Williamson, 73, of Darlington, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on November 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. His granddaughters, Hannah Gibson and Rheagan Williamson, lovingly visited and cared for him while he was in the hospital and on hospice care at home, ministering to him as needed.

The son of Addie Hill and Erbie Genavy Williamson, Dwight was born on February 3, 1951, in Horry County, but moved as a young boy with his parents to Darlington County where he was raised with his siblings, Earl Williamson, Lanneau (Elizabeth) Willamson, Margaret (Harrison) Sanders, and Bobbie Jean (Leroy) Gandy, all of Darlington, South Carolina.

Dwight attended Darlington High School where he met the love of his life, his wife, Carolyn Lambert Williamson. After dating for four years, the two of them married and they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary together this year.  He retired from Darlington Veneer Company, in Darlington, SC.

Known as the cook in the family, Dwight loved nothing better than making his pork loin, chicken bog, ribs, deer meat or any of his many other dishes to satisfy the appetite of his family. As long as he was able, he served as the greeter, head usher and cameraman for video recordings at Lighthouse Church in Florence where he also enjoyed sharing his talents in the kitchen with his church family and always got rave reviews. Anyone who knew Dwight knew he had a big sweet tooth, especially for lemon "anything" which was always a favorite of his. He and Carolyn also shared a mutual love of ice cream and she kept the freezer full of Klondike bars in a variety of flavors so he had a choice of the flavor he wanted while watching his favorite television show, Off the Grid each night.

A lifelong fisherman, Dwight loved being outdoors as long as it included a fishing boat and a fishing pole. Nothing made him happier than spending time taking his sons, Kenny, Scott and Marty, fishing as they were growing up and they created many happy memories together. He and his brother-in-law and pastor, Randy Lambert, always enjoyed spending time on the boat, talking about the love of God and would head to Santee as often as possible. It's not surprising that his nickname ended up being "Catfish" which was the result of one of his many fishing trips. He and a group of his buddies had gone bass fishing one night but the only fish Dwight caught was catfish. And he caught a lot of them! He didn't mind the new moniker they gave him that night because it always reminded him of the sport he enjoyed so much and the fun times they'd all shared.

Dwight was predeceased by his parents and siblings as well as his son, Kenneth Randall "Kenny" Williamson, and son-in-law, Steve Gibson; his parents-in-law, Rev. R. J. and Lila Mae Lambert; brothers-in-law Harrison Sanders and Larry Barnhill, and sister-in-law Elizabeth Williamson, all of Darlington.

He is survived by his devoted wife and children, including sons Marty Williamson and Corey Williamson, both of Darlington, SC; and son, Scott (Julie) Williamson and daughter, Nicole (Zack Turner) Gibson, both of Florence, SC; daughter-in-law, Rhonda Williamson; his loving grandchildren, Jessica (Nick) Ison, Hartsville, SC; Justin (Nicole) Hedges, Gastonia, NC; Xavier Williamson, Darlington, SC; Hannah Gibson, Daniel Gibson, and Rheagan Williamson, all of Florence, SC; great grandchildren: Blakely, Kyle, and Everett Ison, all of Hartsville, SC; brothers-in-law Leroy Gandy, Rev. Randy (Ven) Lambert, both of Darlington, SC and Perry (Scott) Lambert, Lake Wylie, NC; his faithful sisters-in-law Judith M. Lambert of Florence, SC,  Patricia Barnhill of Darlington, SC; and brother -in-law, Roy Gandy of Darlington, SC and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by his beloved pets, a blue-nosed pitbull, Cooper, and a red-nosed pitbull, Roxy, who were both faithful companions of his.

He leaves behind his lifelong friend, Tommy Humphries and his wife, Sandy who were beloved friends of his and Carolyn. Additionally, their neighbor and friends, Luther Springs and his wife Laura who checked on Dwight daily.

The family would like to express their sincerest and heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Crescent Hospice of Hartsville, SC, especially his nurse, Jordan and the director, Jessica for the excellent care and service they gave to Dwight.

A celebration of Dwight's life will be held on November 23, 2024 beginning with a time to visit with the family from 3-4:00 PM followed by the funeral service at 4:00 PM at Belk Funeral Home in Darlington, SC. A private burial for the family will follow at a later date.

Dwight Marlin "Catfish" Williamson lived simply but fully, leaving behind a legacy of family and friends who knew him best and loved him most dearly. He will be deeply missed.