Obituaries

F. Neill Williamson

Fayetteville and Dickson Street lost an icon Friday night. F. Neill Williamson passed away peacefully at Northwest Medical Center. He was 60. Anyone who has spent much time on Dickson Street over the years knows Neill. For several years he has worked the front door for the fabled Friday Happy Hour at George's Majestic Lounge. Until a couple years ago he was also the one who greeted you as you entered Jose's Streetside on Thursday nights. You can probably picture him perched on his stool at the front gate, clutching a stack of dollar bills, checking co-ed ID's and holding court with bikers, millionaires, college students, hippies or anyone else who happened to drift down Dickson. Neill knew everybody. And everybody knew Neill. Chances are over the years you ran into Neill at Roger's Rec, ROTC, the D-Luxe or the Boardwalk Café. You might remember Neill from the Swinging Door or the Dart League. You probably visited with him about the Hogs or horse racing, the Cardinals, the Cate Brothers, or God forbid politics. If you did visit with him you found out exactly what he thought. Neill was never one to mince his words. Same goes for Razorback basketball games. In spite of Neill's Cerebral Palsy and later ALS, he rarely missed a home Hog game. He was known to offer a bit of coaching advice from time to time to his nearby seatmate Frank Broyles. Neill was born in El Dorado on May 25, 1953, to James and Alice Williamson. He later moved to North Little Rock where he graduated from Northeast High School in 1971. From there he came to Fayetteville graduating from the University of Arkansas. Neill was a long-time resident of Dickson Street, living in the U Ark Apartments for nearly 35 years. In addition to working at Jose's and George's over the years, Neill served on the Board of Directors of Area Special Olympics and of Sources, where he served as Board President. Neill was an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Neill is survived by his brother, James Franklin Williamson and wife Alma of El Dorado, along with his nieces and nephews, Holly Williamson, Dean Williamson, Kristin Gibson, Susie Bryant, Greg Williamson and Kelli Griffin. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister. Services for Neill will be Tuesday at 4 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with a reception immediately following at George's Majestic Lounge. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home of Fayetteville. Memorials can be made to Special Olympics. Online tributes may be made at www.nelsonberna.com.

Published August 12, 2013

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