Michael Williamson Obituary

Michael James Williamson, of Fairbanks, Alaska, was born July 21, 1953, and passed away peacefully May 10, 2023, at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula, Montana.

He was born in Seattle, Washington, to James and Jacquelin Williamson. He spent his early years in Tacoma and spent a lot of time at his grandfather's fur shop in downtown Seattle. The family moved to Tucson, Arizona, in 1967 before moving to Oklahoma in 1970 where dad finished high school and worked as a harvester in the Midwest. He decided to move back to Seattle in 1973 and made the decision to move to Barrow, Alaska, in 1978, where he met Julia Okpeaha.

They got married and had three children, John, Victor and Quupak. Dad also embraced Julia's oldest son, Solomon.

He drove the city bus in Barrow and built their first home. He learned to hunt and whale hunt with his brother (in law) Patrick Okpeaha Jr.

In 1989 mom and dad decided to move to Fairbanks, Alaska, where dad got a job with the school district, bought a house and raised the kids. Dad retired from the school district back in 2010 and went to take care of his dad until his last breath in 2011. Shortly after, dad had his stroke, which left him a hemiplegic the remainder of his life.

Quupak was living in Montana at the time and decided to move him to Missoula due to the services he would be able to receive and to have a better quality of life. Although the stroke left him a hemiplegic he didn't let that stop him from enjoying his life or his sense of humor. He enjoyed spending time with his children and especially the grandchildren after moving to Montanna. He enjoyed swimming, rafting, fishing, going shooting and checking new places out.

No matter what, Alaska is where his heart was.

Dad has joined his mom, dad and baby sister Elaine Williamson. Michael is survived by Julia Williamson, Solomon Okpeaha, John and Victor Williamson, Quupak Matthews, Jennine Williamson, Jody Hill, and all of his grandchildren. There will be a celebration of life at a later date.