Rev. Robert (Bob) Edgar Williamson

Rev. Mr. Robert (Bob) Edgar Williamson, 96, of Cleveland, GA, (formerly of Central Islip, NY) passed away peacefully at the Laurel Lodge Assisted Living facility on June 14, 2026.

Bob was born on April 26", 1930, in Brooklyn, NY to Rev. Mr. Arnold and Martha Williamson, of West Hempstead, Long Island, NY. After graduating from Columbia College, New York City, and from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA, he pastored the First Baptist Church of Central Islip, NY from 1956 to 1986. A year into his ministry, he married June Marie Gilliland, a graduate of Houghton College, Houghton, NY, majoring in Christian Education and a gifted organist/pianist.

In 1986, Robert and June retired to Cleveland, GA, in White County, where he taught for five years as an adjunct faculty member of Truett-McConnell College. In 1993, he taught English in Wuhan, China, and for five summers taught the Inductive Study of Mark at the New Theological College in Dehra Dun, India, in the foothills of the Himalayas, with Dr. Timothy Tennent, formerly pastor of Nacoochee Methodist Church. In addition, he taught of eight years at the Georgia Baptist Bible Institute in the Gainesville, GA, branch.

He is preceded in death by his wife, June; daughter Judy Carol Samsoe; sister Bonnie Christine Gustavson, and brother Ken Williamson. Survivors include: brother Wallace Williamson and sister-in-law Joan of Laguna Niguel, CA; daughter Janet, and son-in-law, James Keane; son-in-law, Walter Samsoe Jr, Dresher PA; and grandchildren: Jared Keane of Cleveland GA, Joshua Keane and wife Lillie of Demorest GA; Sharon Schuler and husband Bryan of Dahlonega GA; Jeremy Samsoe and wife Drew of Mathias WV; and Christopher and wife Becca of Horsham PA; and 9 dearly loved great-grandchildren; Connor, James, Rebekah, Roman, Kai, Willa, Lana, CJ, and Noelle.

A memorial service will be held at 11am, Saturday, 20tm at Mount Yonah Baptist Church, 882 Asbestos Road, Cleveland, GA. Officiating will be Pastor Ross Roberts, Rev. Doug Merck, and family friend John Callaham.

The family is grateful for the loving care given to Bob by Laurel Lodge Assisted Living and Caritus Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to; the Catalyst Christian Learning Center, P.O. Box 1627, Cleveland, GA, 30528, or to the college in India; Good News for India, P.O. Box 7576, LaVerne, CA 91750. 

To share a memory or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.barrettfh.com

Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland | 706-865-3101.