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Kenny was in the Bruin band as a trombonist.Richard Kenneth "Ken" Williamson, age 49, a resident of Harahan, LA died Saturday at 8:03 am October 27, 2018 at EJGH after a difficult but very brave battle with pancreatic cancer. His strength and courage these past 6 months have been an inspiration to so many. Ken is survived by his mother, Eva Williamson; his brother Clayton Kelly Williamson (Stephanie) and his precious niece, Brooke Elizabeth Williamson. He was preceded in death by his father, Billy R. Williamson, a sister Deborah Herring and a brother Stephen Alan Williamson. Private services were held on Wednesday October 31, 2018. Interment was in the Chapel of Peace Mausoleum in Garden of Memories. Ken was born on the 26 of August, 1969, in Metairie, LA at Ochsner Hospital to Bill and Eva Avery Williamson. He was raised in Kenner, LA, and attended Roosevelt Middle School and graduated from Bonnabel High school where he played in the school bands. He graduated from University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Vocal Performance Emphasis and received his Masters of Music in Music, Instrumental Performance Emphasis. He was a Music Educator: Music Director at Lutcher High School and Lutcher Junior High School, St. James Parish Public School System and Lusher Charter School, Orleans Parish Public School System. Ken played the bass trombone for 40 years and was honored to have performed with some amazing musicians. Robert Nunez, a longtime family friend and music mentor of Ken's, assembled the following list of associations in which Ken was involved: University of New Orleans Wind Ensemble, University of New Orleans Jazz Band, New Orleans Concert Band, New Orleans Civic Symphony, Loyola Symphony Orchestra, Bucktown All Stars band and served as manager for a time. He was privileged to teach the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra (GNOYO) Brass Students for two years. He really enjoyed playing with the New Orleans Trombone Choir, in which he arranged music for the Choir. They were two-time winners of the NOLA Chamber Fest Competition in their class. He was a private music teacher for various brass students in the metropolitan New Orleans area. Ken did work in typesetting arrangements that were published for Euphonium by Will Hess instructor of Euphonium at Loyola University. Ken was fearless, tenderhearted, straightforward and extremely honest. He served and worshiped his Lord with his music and song throughout his life. He had a beautiful baritone voice but playing the trombone was his calling. Ken relished playing music so much that he said "If I can't play music, then life is not worth living". A verse on his desk read, "Bach gave us God's word, Mozart gave us God's laughter, Beethoven gave us God's fire and God gave us music that we might pray without words. Ken loved traveling, reading, writing and rearranging music, Sudoku, brain teasers, solving puzzles of any kind and trivia challenges. He studied and was intrigued with different languages and spoke a smattering of at least five. He could fix and repair anything including computers; he could take them apart and put them back together. He was a devoted and doting son, a loving brother and brother-in-law and a very proud and adoring Uncle. His presence will be forever missed. |
