Dennis Michael Williamson

Dennis Michael (Mike) Williamson, 76, of Bandera, Texas, passed away on March 15, 2025, surrounded by his family after a brief battle with cancer.

Mike was born on April 30, 1948, in Crystal City, Texas, the son of George Lloyd Williamson and Vera Mae Williamson (née Wood).

Mike graduated from Crystal City High School in 1966 after being a stand-out player on the field and track all 4 years. He then went on to play football first at the University of Houston and then Texas A&I in Kingsville. At Texas A&I, Mike played fullback on the 1969 NAIA National Championship team.

After graduating from Texas A&I, Mike began a coaching career of over 30 years in South Texas; with stops at Orange Grove, Pearsall, El Dorado, Devine, Carrizo Springs, Laredo, Uvalde, and Bandera.

Early in his coaching career, Mike was stricken with Guillain-Barré syndrome and overcame months of near complete paralysis to fully recover. Throughout the rest of his life, he would visit those afflicted with Guillain-Barré to show them that recovery is possible.

While coaching in Devine, Mike met Sherrie Ann Bradley. The two were married on December 19, 1980, and had three children – John Walker, Joy Taylor, and Kathryn Ann.

Throughout his coaching career, Mike had an unwavering passion for helping his players excel—both on the field and in life. Beyond his role as a coach, he was a trusted mentor and friend to countless coaches within the Texas high school football community. A proven winner, he amassed over 100 victories as a head coach, guiding his teams to deep playoff runs, including a remarkable 2002 3A Division II State Championship with Bandera.

After retiring from education in the spring of 2003, he pursued opportunities that kept him connected to Texas high school sports, allowing him to remain close to the coaching community and the many friendships he had built over the years.

In his later years, he found immense joy in spending time with his beloved grandchildren, never missing an opportunity to cheer them on at their various events. Watching them grow and share in their accomplishments was one of his greatest pleasures.

Mike is survived by his wife; his children; his daughter-in-law, Erica Williamson; his son-in-law, Derek Smith; his brother, George Ronald Williamson; and his grandchildren, John Wesley Williamson, Michael Isaiah Williamson, Avery Mae Smith, June Harper Smith, and Justin Anthony Blakley.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on March 29, 2025, at the Bandera High School auditorium.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mike’s memory may be directed to the Bandera Athletic Booster Club through John Milner, P.O. Box 2669 Bandera, Texas 78003 or via Venmo: John-Milner-19.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Bandera Funeral Chapel.