As a campus faculty member from 1984 to 2026, he taught classes in swine production,
genetics, animal nutrition, livestock evaluation, environmental management courses,
and other topics.
He also shaped the lives of countless agricultural students as the Animal Sciences
and Agricultural Education department chair, meat animal evaluation coach, and swine
show team adviser.
He received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University, where he was also a member
of its livestock judging team and Block and Bridle Club. At the University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, he received a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition and a doctorate
in meat science. He also served as manager of the University of Illinois Swine Research
Center and adviser for its Hoof ‘n Horn Club for students.
He was also nationally respected as a rabbit breeder and judge at local and national events. He had competed at American
Rabbit Breeders Association as a youth while he grew up in LaPorte, Indiana.
Williamson passed away on August 2, 2026 and memories about his legacy are available
at this Facebook page.
