Sgt Patrick Williamson of New Iberia, Louisiana is a graduate of Saint Cecilia Elementary and a 2004 graduate of Saint Thomas More High School where he earned a scholarship in Petroleum Engineering. He attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for two years majoring in Mechanical Engineering before he answered his life's calling as a soldier in the US Army, enlisting in August of 2006. Patrick loved Cydney Palmer, whose heart he won through persistent charm. He embraced life enthusiastically. He was loyal to his friends and a joy to his family. He was mechanically gifted and often the only one who could start his truck. He was also an avid student of history, recalling the most obscure facts and dates with amazing ease. He loved the outdoors, pulling pranks, anything to be with his beloved friends. He had a quick smile and friendly demeanor when greeting friends or putting strangers at ease. He was always true to his core values and had a quiet confidence that he carried with humility. He took on all of life's experiences without fear; whether that meant 4-wheeler acrobatics, airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia, leaving friends and family to form a new Stryker Brigade at Fort Lewis, Washington, or his deployment in harm's way to Afghanistan. He had found his calling and was never afraid. With his intelligence and aptitude scores he could have had any job in the Army. He chose infantry because that is where he could experience the best training and make the biggest difference in his mission of protecting America from her enemies. He was a responsible leader who progressed through the ranks far ahead of schedule. He was proud of his job and supported those under his responsibility. Patrick is a true American Hero who represents the most honorable values in our country. He is survived by his parents, Leon "Buddy" Williamson, III. and Sybil Barras Williamson; a brother, Max Williamson; a sister, Betsy Williamson; his paternal grandmother, Elaine Baskett, his maternal grandmother, Florence Barras; and the love of his life, Cydney Palmer. He had just recently earned a promotion to sergeant. Patrick was killed at age 24 in battle in the Arghandab Valley of Kandahar province near Kabul along with other soldiers from the brigade.∼Patrick Olivier Williamson
August 13, 1985 - October 27, 2009

Broussard - A Mass of Christian Burial for Sgt. Patrick Oliver Williamson, 24, will be held at 10:30AM Friday, November 6, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Broussard with Fr. Louis Richard, Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Chancellor of St. Thomas Moore.

Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Lafayette on the Youngsville Highway Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 3:00PM until 9:00PM with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00PM. Visitation will resume on Friday from 8:00AM until the time of the services. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Mausoleum. A native of Lafayette and a resident of Broussard, Sgt. Patrick Oliver Williamson died on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 in the Arghandab Valley of Kandahar providence in Afghanistan. Because of his sacrifice, we are all safer. The world is better for having Patrick Williamson in it for 24 short years. God loved him so much that he called him home early.

Patrick is a graduate of Saint Cecilia Elementary and a 2004 graduate of Saint Thomas More High School where he earned a scholarship in Petroleum Engineering. He attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for two years majoring in Mechanical Engineering before he answered his life's calling as a soldier in the US Army, enlisting in August of 2006. Patrick loved Cydney Palmer, whose heart he won through persistent charm. He embraced life enthusiastically. He was loyal to his friends and a joy to his family. He was mechanically gifted and often the only one who could start his truck. He was also an avid student of history, recalling the most obscure facts and dates with amazing ease. He loved the outdoors, pulling pranks, anything to be with his beloved friends. He had a quick smile and friendly demeanor when greeting friends or putting strangers at ease. He was always true to his core values and had a quiet confidence that he carried with humility. He took on all of life's experiences without fear; whether that meant 4-wheeler acrobatics, airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia, leaving friends and family to form a new Stryker Brigade at Fort Lewis, Washington, or his deployment in harm's way to Afghanistan. He had found his calling and was never afraid. With his intelligence and aptitude scores he could have had any job in the Army. He chose infantry because that is where he could experience the best training and make the biggest difference in his mission of protecting America from her enemies. He was a responsible leader who progressed through the ranks far ahead of schedule. He was proud of his job and supported those under his responsibility. Patrick Oliver Williamson is a true American Hero who represents the most honorable values in our country. He is extremely loved and will be missed so very much by his family. We know that he is in Heaven looking down on us. He will be with us always. He is survived by his parents, Leon "Buddy" Williamson, III. and Sybil Barras Williamson of Broussard; a brother, Max Williamson of Broussard; a sister, Betsy Williamson of Broussard; his paternal grandmother, Elaine Baskett of Glenmora, LA; his maternal grandmother, Florence Barras of New Iberia; and the love of his life, Cydney Palmer. Serving as pallbearers will be Jordan Musso, Tyler Hornsby, Anthony Chiarulli, Miles Reaney, Nick Fontenot, and Lee Lavergne. Honarary pallbearers will be uncles Randy Barras, Steve Barras, Bobby Keasler, Hank Miller, Michael Musso, and Jim Tart. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the: Sergeant Patrick Oliver Williamson Memorial Scholarship Fund Saint Thomas More High School 450 East Farrel Road Lafayette, Louisiana 70508 David Funeral Home of Lafayette at 316 Youngsville Hwy (337) 837-9887 will be handling the arrangements.