02/19/2026
Frank Wesley Williamson, Jr., 96
Frank “Sonny” Wesley Williamson, Jr. peacefully passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at his home on Williamson Cattle Company in Okeechobee, Florida. Sonny was born on December 15, 1929, in Clearwater, Florida to Annette Griffin Williamson and Frank Wesley Williamson.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Betty Chandler Williamson; his daughter, Karen Williamson Cook; his mother, Annette Griffin Emmons; his father, Frank Wesley Williamson, Sr.; his sister, Elisabeth W. (Biba) Miller; his brother-in-law, Charles Miller; and his niece, Susan Miller Kinney.
Sonny is survived by his daughter, Kim Elizabeth Williamson (Nancy); son, Frank Wesley “Wes” Williamson, III (Darin); son-in-law, Dave Cook; stepbrother, Howard S. Jones (Hunter); grandchildren, John Wesley Williamson, Heather Williamson Rucks (Clint), Kristin Larson Hamilton (Alex), and John Louis Larson; seven great grandchildren, Marshall Rucks, John Williamson, II, Delainey Rucks, Brady Williamson, Hope Hamilton, Sadie Hamilton, and Jamie Hamilton; and nephew, Charles David Miller (Maury).
While growing up in Clearwater, Sonny’s hobbies included hunting, fishing and sailing in Clearwater Bay. He was a member of the Clearwater High School swimming team. After graduating from Clearwater High School in 1947, he attended THE University of Florida and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science in Agriculture in 1950. After college he returned to Okeechobee to assist his dad with the development of Williamson Cattle Company.
Since 1948 Williamson Cattle Company has been developed as a family business which produces cattle and citrus in Okeechobee, Florida and cattle and catfish in Greensboro, Alabama. At the same time the family works to keep it an example of economically sustainable and environmentally friendly land use. Several easements have been placed on parts of the Ranch to ensure the land is not developed and used as a cattle ranch in perpetuity.
One of Sonny’s proudest accomplishments was winning the 2005 USDA National Resource Conservation Service & National Cattlemens Beef Association Environmental Stewardship Award, the first ever awarded to a Ranch east of the Mississippi River.
Sonny was a long-time member of The First Baptist Church of Okeechobee and was a former deacon and superintendent of Sunday School there. He served on the Okeechobee County School Board, including several years as Chairman. He was a founding member of the Economic Council of Okeechobee. Sonny was appointed to the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board by Governor Lawton Childs in 1991 and served for 8 years, 2 as Chairman. He also gave his time to the Indian River State College Foundation Board, Okeechobee Non-Profit Housing Board, Advisory Board for Dunklin Memorial Camp, Board of Trustees of The Nature Conservancy, and was a member of University of Florida Foundation Board, Director and President of Okeechobee County Farm Bureau, Director and Chairman, Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation Board.
Sonny was the recipient of many awards and accolades including the 2009 Indian River State College Entrepreneur of the Year, the 2006 Distinguished Alumnus of The University of Florida, 2005 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductee and 2003 Lancaster/Sunbelt Exposition Southeastern Farmer of the Year for Florida.
Sonny enjoyed his many friends. He particularly enjoyed traveling with them on hunting and fishing trips to Montana and South America. He loved cooking sausage on Saturdays during hunts at the ranch. And he loved Chocolate! He became a pilot in the 1950’s, owning and piloting a Piper J3 Cub and several Cessna 172s as well as a Piper Super Cub. He also flew gliders (sailplanes). For many years, he and Betty enjoyed traveling the world with friends.
Sonny married the Love of his life, Betty in 1952 and had three children, Kim in 1954, Wes in 1956, and Karen in 1959. Together they built a life and family on the Ranch. Sonny truly loved being a father and loved being with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He taught his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to love the things he loved—hunting, fishing, waterskiing, skin diving, flying and traveling.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home. Service will be at 11:00 am Monday, February 23, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Okeechobee. Please join the family for lunch and fellowship following the funeral service at the ROC. Interment will be private at Evergreen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Hospice of Okeechobee Chapters Affiliate, Dunklin Memorial Camp or The Florida Cattlemen's Foundation.
Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com.
All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972.
