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Obituaries published in the June 2022 editor of the Texas Press Messenger

Terry Lane  Williamson

MIDLAND – Terry Lane Williamson, an award-winning journalist with the Midland Reporter-Telegram for four decades, died April 29. He was 76. A native of Snyder, Williamson graduated from Texas Tech University in 1969. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam as part of the 198th Infantry Brigade, 1/52nd Infantry, Company B. His time in Vietnam included serving as a field string reporter for the Army news publication Stars and Stripes, where he earned two writing awards. He completed his military service at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and was honorably discharged in 1971. His service in Vietnam was honored with a bronze star, a combat infantry badge and two commendation medals. Williamson began his career with the Midland Reporter Telegram in January 1972, where he documented the history of the Midland and Permian Basin sports scene for the next 41 years. He followed his mentor and friend Ted Battles as Sports Editor in 1988. Williamson won two Hearst Eagle Awards, six Associated Press first-place writing awards and two Associated Press Sports Editors writing awards. The highlight of his career came in 1988 when he was selected as the Texas Sports Writer of the Year. Following a health setback in 2002, he spent his last eleven years at the Reporter-Telegram in various roles, including sports columnist and editorial writer. He, his wife June Westfall Williamson and their family were active members of the First Baptist Church Midland, where he taught a couples Sunday school class for more than 25 years. In addition to his wife of 52 years, he is survived by two daughters, four grandchildren and other relatives. A funeral service was held May 4 at the First Baptist Church of Midland, followed by burial in Resthaven Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to the FBC Midland Bible Drill program, the FBC Midland Jail Ministry or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.