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In Memoriam
Carmen Williamson – May 5, 1925 – April 5, 2020
Carmen Williamson, age 94
of Toledo, Ohio passed away April 5, 2020 of COVID-19. He
was born May 5, 1925 in Xenia, Ohio and spent his life
honorably as a member of the U.S. Navy, a father to seven
children and a 33 degree Mason.
He worked for the
government for 42 years. Throughout his life he has been an
exemplary sportsman and mentor who has given back as much as
he has received. As a young man Carmen was a successful
feather weight boxer, winning 264 bouts. He went on to
become a referee, judge, and official in the ring.
He has served the Toledo
Golden Gloves Association, USA Amateur Boxing, and the
National Police Athletic League Boxing Championships. One of
his proudest days was when he was named International
Association DeBoxe Amateur (AIBA) Emeritus. AIBA Officials
were the only officials worldwide authorized to officiate
World Championship Olympic Games and high level
competitions.
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Carmen Williamson
Carmen Williamson and Muhammad Ali |
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In the U.S. and through
the Golden Gloves Organization, Carmen was able to turn many
young lives around. He raised the community’s awareness
that low-income inner city youth could achieve greatness.
He spoke of this belief at various speaking engagements and
demonstrated these beliefs by producing successful boxers
that went on to become successful adults in life.
In the 1984, Carmen had
the distinguished honor of being named International Olympic
Commission Solidarity Expert for Olympic style amateur
boxing. He was voted #1 Official by the Referees and Judges
Commission representative of 167 countries and was the first
black man awarded an honorary gold medal for officiating the
sport of boxing by the Olympic Committee.
Carmen created a 40-hour
training course for coaches and officials. Students who
completed his course were certified to coach and officiate
national boxing championships. This course was taught by
Mr. Williamson in 48 countries throughout the world. Carmen
preached discipline, nutrition, proper sleep habits, and
attention to academic studies. Young men learned to set
goals and envision themselves as winners, not only at
boxing, but also at life. At the completion of training,
each was evaluated by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the
International Olympic Committee.
Carmen always valued
education, but had to quit school and work to help his
family. At the age of 75, Carmen passed his GED test and
entered the University of Toledo to earn his bachelor’s
degree. He loved education so much, he would arrive early to
class and sit in the front row.
He is preceded in death by
his parents Hugh and Elsie Williamson, wife Charlotte
Williamson, brothers Randall and Maciel, sister Cleona,
daughters Carol Reeves and Camille Williamson, and son
Carmen Williamson, grandson Lamar Witcher, son in law
Michael Brown. He is survived by his daughters: Carmenita
(Dean) Ross, Charlene Higginbotham, Carlotta
Williamson-Brown, Celia Williamson (Jeff Olejownik),
son-in-law Joseph Reeves, grandchildren, great
grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of family and
friends.
We ask that family and
friends stay home and stay safe. A small gathering for
family will be held at Dale Funeral Home. A larger
celebration of his life will be held at a later date to be
announced.
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