Keith Williamson

Keith D. Williamson, 90, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at his home in Wichita, KS, surrounded by family, after a long battle with dementia. Keith was born on April 18, 1935, in Mahaska, Kansas, to Marion Williamson and Nellie Colleen (Peake) Williamson.Keith and his family moved to the St. John, KS area when he was young, and they completed their small family by adding another boy, little brother Kent. The Williamson’s lived on an oil lease in the boys’ younger years, where they would hunt and fish. When Keith was in high school they moved to St. John. He was active in sports-specifically football and basketball, and he also had a number one fan, Bonnie Jo Sanford, during his high school years. Outside of school, Keith and his dad played a lot of baseball together. When high school graduation came, Keith signed a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and played in their farm system for two years. After a career-ending injury, Keith enlisted in the Army and after basic training was stationed in Panama.On his way home from Panama, he called his high school girlfriend, Bonnie Jo, to come home from where she worked in San Francisco, CA, to see him. She did and they were married a week later. Keith began his career in banking at that time, working in banks across south central Kansas for the next 30 years. After banking, Keith spent a decade working for The Equitable out of the Wichita, KS office. In retirement, Keith and Bonnie moved to Holiday Island, Arkansas. Keith had been going down on weekends for several years to the area to fish, and they knew they wanted to make it their home. They lived there for over twenty years before they moved back to Kansas due to Keith’s health.Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Colleen Williamson; his brother and sister-in-law, Kent and Jana Williamson; and one son, Bret Alan Williamson.Keith is survived by his wife, Bonnie Jo (Sanford) Williamson, daughters: Sarah (Kevin) Shobe of Wichita, KS; Abbie (Kent) Allen of Lawrence KS; son: Ruel (Cynthia) Williamson of Carmel, IN; grandchildren: Merritt (Juan) Ortiz, Morgan Shobe, Olivia Williamson, Spencer Allen, Charlie Williamson; and great-grandchildren: Rosalie, Raelynn, Lincoln Ortiz; and many family and friends.Services will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Minnis Chapel, St John, KS, at 10:30 a.m., with a luncheon following for family and friends. A private burial for the family will be held later that afternoon.Memorial contributions to The Rotary Foundation, or the charity of your choice, can be sent in care of Minnis Chapel Inc., 526 E 4th Street, St. John, KS 67576.