Shirley (Ferguson) Williamson  
Shirley Ann (Ferguson) Williamson
Married to Jim for 37 years.
Children: Diane Aviles, 47, Stockton, CA; Denise Coe, 43, Newark, CA. Four grandchildren.
WORK: My first job was working for the local credit bureau as a credit reporter. I took college classes and worked full time. I got several years of banking experience starting as a teller and leaving in 1969 as the operations supervisor. We moved to Redding, CA and I spent 4 years working in the finance office for the local high school district. We moved back to the bay area in 1974 and I then went to work at Ohlone Junior college in the finance office. In 1978 I started working for Varian Assoc. a Medical and Semi Conductor R&D Manufacturing company as a cost accountant. Over the years, I was promoted to cost accounting supervisor then to financial operations manager. I retired from this position in July 1999 after 21 years of service. I have been involved with youth sports, playing golf with the visually impaired people, helping them get set up properly to make their shots and spotting their balls. My political involvement is working the elections during the election years and I am also the treasurer and fund raiser for our Butte County 5th District Supervisor, Kim Yamaguchi. I'm semi retired. I work part time as a cosmetics and over the counter drugs merchandiser, do volunteer work at our local Elks lodge. I am currently the Drug Awareness Chairperson, a position I have held for three years. For the past five years, I have been chairperson and coordinator for the Elks annual children's Christmas party for the underprivileged children of the community. We make Christmas stockings, give each child a gift, the child plays games, we serve food and they have a chance to visit with Santa (my husband). Last year we had 288 children attend this event. I'm also the budget chairperson for our ladies club Pine Ridge Women Club. This group has fund raisers during the year. All funds are given back to the community through four year scholarships, funds to purchase dogs for our local police force, volunteer fire department to be used to up date equipment, SPCA to help with spay and neuter of animals and the local Girls & Boys club for outside activities. I plan to work and do volunteer work as long as my health allows.
INTERESTS: I enjoy traveling; we have been to many foreign countries and traveled across the USA in our motor home. I enjoy spending time with our grand children attending their sporting events and taking them on vacation with us, reading, bowling, playing golf and until I got too old, I really enjoyed water skiing.
HONORS: During my working years I was honored several times. Employee of the year, several cash awards for suggesting and implementing new finance procedures. Training finance employee's world wide on a new computer financial software. In 2001 - 2002 I was given an award for the auditing and new reports I set up at our Elks lodge. 2003 I was named "Elk of the Year" this was given for all the hours and special projects I worked on during the year. I also was elected to be a one year trustee for the lodge.
CHANGES: Things that were important as a high school student no longer apply. I now focus on our marriage, our family and good health. I do miss the simple life of the 50's. Sock hops, drive-in (movie), drive - in (food) and listening to the old radio programs.
REFLECTIONS: I wish my grandchildren could actually experience the fun we had as kids, being able to ride your bike or walk to school with your friends or go to a friend's home and not worry about being kidnapped. Listening to the radio and using your imagination. Spend more time outside doing physical activities and not being couch potatoes.