John R. Williamson, age 76, died suddenly on May 16, 2025 while visiting a friend in Rifle, Colorado. John (known as Papa John to his grandchildren Brittany, Tess, Alyssa, Isaac, and Noah and great grandchildren Madalynn, Joseph, Zeke,  Milana, Jaxon, Wesley, Nico and Ezra) was born June 27, 1948 in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Douglas and Beverly Williamson.

His three children, Jason, Jessica and Christine each inherited his quick wit and adventurous spirit. Always a maverick, John took his time both starting and finishing college. After becoming a certified gemologist, he managed Hands Jewelry store in Iowa City from 1966 to 1977. While there, he met his wife, Sally K. Ortner. The couple married in 1978 in Iowa City, enjoying 46 wonderful years of marriage. John later returned to college and received his bachelor's degree with honors in History from the University of Iowa in 1979. After Sally and he moved to Chicago, John attended law school at DePaul University where he received his J.D. in 1982. After his admission to the Illinois bar, he practiced with the law firm Hinshaw, Culbertson, Moelmann, Hoban& Fuller where as an associate he practiced in the commercial litigation and the appellate departments.  After moving to Denver, Colorado in 1984, he practiced bankruptcy law with Katch, Anderson & Wasserman before opening his own law firm in 1986 where he primarily practiced family law.

Known to friends and family as a lover of animals and babies and for his tender heart and a quirky and wonderful sense of humor, he also engendered appreciation from former divorce clients for his wisdom and invaluable counseling. The best interests of their children were what drew John to the field and what gave him the motivation to continue to practice until he retired.

After he and Sally moved to Windsor Gardens in Denver in 2020, he enjoyed time relaxing on the lanai, reading the New York Times, and walking his Golden Retriever along the High line Canal. In remembrance of him, please hug your four-legged friend and donate if you can to a shelter or please help save children and heal families through donations to groups like Boys Town or St. Jude's .

A celebration of life of life gathering will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025 from 3:00 P.M. TO 6:00 P.M. at the Windsor Gardens Center Point building, 597 South Clinton, Denver, Colorado 80247.