Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering John Wesley Williamson, 91, of Nashville, died February 27, 2025.
He joined the mechanical engineering faculty in 1964 and retired in 1999. He continued to teach until 2010. His research focus in fluid dynamics included modeling of turbulent flow, aerodynamic levitation of solid and liquid shapes, optimal shapes in fluid mechanics, metal hydride energy storage, and hydrogen fuel for internal combustion engines.
Throughout his career he also contributed to work at Convair Aircraft Corp, Shell Oil Co., North American Aviation, NASA, and E.I. DuPont
Williamson earned a B.S. from the University of Oklahoma and M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from The Ohio State University.
He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter, and two grandchildren. The family requests donations be made to Belle Meade United Methodist Church, the ALS Association, or Habitat for Humanity.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, May 9, 2025, at 2 p.m. with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. at Belle Meade United Methodist Church in Nashville.
Contact: brenda.ellis@vanderbilt.edu