Warren P. ‘Bud’ Williamson III 1930-2022

He was the retired chairman of the board of WKBN Broadcasting Corp. He was employed by the family broadcasting business (WKBN AM / FM / TV – Youngstown) from 1956 to 1999. During this period, he worked in various capacities in the radio and television enterprise.

He leaves his wife, Lael Kilpatrick Williamson of Marco Island, Fla.; a son, Warren P. Williamson IV of Marion, Mass.; two daughters, Lynn Williamson of Parker, Colo. and Susan Brownlee of El Cajon, Calif.; a brother, J.D. Williamson of Palm Springs, Calif.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In 1985, Mr. Williamson directed WKBN’s entry into the emerging cellular telephone industry, managing its growth into a service provider covering territory in three states. He served as chairman of Wilcom Cellular Corporation, which later became Sygnet Wireless before acquisition by Dobson Wireless in 1999. Currently, Mr. Williamson served as a director of Hypres Corporation, a world leader in superconductive electronics research, as well as a director of CleveX Corporation, a developer of medical devices applicable to skin care.

Throughout his career, he was active in a number of business, professional and civic associations, as well as many community service organizations in Youngstown, including director of Mahoning National Bank for 20 years (eventually becoming chairman of the executive committee); director of the Association of Maximum Service Telecasters (AMST), a trade organization serving the U.S. terrestrial television broadcasting industry, including a term as chairman of that board; director of the Advanced Television Test Center (ATTC), which was instrumental in the process by which the new digital high-definition television broadcasting standard was developed, including a term as chairman of the board.

He was technical adviser to CBS Television Affiliate Stations Advisory Board during development of high-definition standards; director of Silicon Light Machines Co., a developer of laser-based television display technology, which was acquired by Cypress Semiconductor Co.; director of Thin Air Applications, a software developer, which was acquired by Palm, Inc.; director and chairman of Ortheon Medical LLC, which developed and marketed a medical device for repair of severed hand tendons; and director of a number of community service organizations, including the Youngstown State University Foundation, the Boys Club of Youngstown, Goodwill Industries, Associated Neighborhood Centers and the Youngstown Symphony Society.

Mr. Williamson served as an officer in the Air Force Research and Development Command from 1954 to 1956 and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for his work in electronic countermeasures. He earned a BSEE (electrical engineering, 1953) degree and a master of business administration (with distinction, 1954) degree from the University of Michigan, and prior to retirement, was a registered professional engineer.

Private services for the family will be held. Additional details for a public celebration of life will be forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to the YSU Foundation Williamson Innovation Park Fund.

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