No More Donny Nice Guy

Donald J. Williamson, retired attorney, husband, father, grandfather and golfer, died June 11, 2021 in Leesburg, Virginia.He was 85 years old.

Don began his legal career working in the antitrust division of the Department of Justice under Robert F. Kennedy, before returning to his native New Jersey to assist in the prosecution of one of Hudson County's most famous corruption cases, the "Hudson Eight." He later went into private practice in New York and New Jersey, where he specialized in antitrust law and complex litigation, launching his own firm in 1972. In 1987, he had the honor and distinction of arguing the same case not once but twice before the U.S. Supreme Court, when the court temporarily lacked a 9 th justice and couldn't reach a majority opinion the first time around. Seated in that velvet-draped courtroom watching their father before the bench, his children, unaccustomed to seeing their father practice verbal restraint, were most impressed by his ability to weaponize facial expressions.

Don was also the proud recipient of the 1978 B'nai B'rith International Humanitarian Award and the perhaps less illustrious Darth Vader award, bestowed upon him by his colleagues that same year. Everything he did – whether inside or outside the courtroom – he did with intensity, believing excellence the only path worth taking. He encouraged family members to do the same, reminding them it was always "time for the big push" and enthusiastically supporting the need to zoom when it meant something else entirely. In this manner he became a competitive golfer who filled the house with more crystal bowls and engraved silver tournament prizes than his wife could find use for.

Don was a graduate of New York University Law School, class of 1961, of St. Peter's College, class of 1958 and of St. Peter's Prep, 1954, once home to the legendary Montgomery Street Annex. He was recognized by the St. Peter's Prep Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013, for his role as the school's track coach from 1959 to 1961, when he coached Francis Koch to a medley record at Madison Square Garden that was unbroken for decades.

He leaves behind a wife, Barbara, with whom he enjoyed 61 years of marriage; a brother, Arthur, and his wife, Carol; three adult children, Gregory and his wife, Michelle; Glenn and Laura; and six grandchildren, Zachary and his wife, Kelsey;Hanna, Jay, Charlie, David and Ryan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you please make donations to Capital Caring Health, Loudoun and West Fairfax Counties, VA 703-957-1800.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, June 13, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd., NE, Leesburg, VA  20176.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, June 14, 2021 at 1:00 pm at St. Johns Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, 231 North King St., Leesburg, VA.  Interment to follow at St. Johns Cemetery, Leesburg, VA.