Donald McLean Williamson was born in Mexico City on October 23, 1913. His parents were Richard and Marjorie (nee Roberts) Williamson. His father was the director of the YMCA in Mexico City. As a boy, Don made occasional trips to the United States to visit relatives in Wisconsin and Kansas, but he did not move permanently to this country until his college years.

He began his college studies at the University of Wisconsin. He later transferred to Rice University in Houston. In the mid-1930’s the whole family moved to California, initially settling in Pasadena. Don ultimately graduated with a degree in architecture from the University of Southern California in the Class of 1936. According to his selective service registration card, he was 5’8”, 154 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.   

His parents were living in Laguna Beach by the late-1930’s. On November 10, 1940, he married Josephine “Jo” Shanks. In a Daily Pilot obituary at the time of his death, Barbara Diamond wrote that Don and Jo were introduced by his mother, Marjorie, who was directing shows at the old Playhouse and had cast Jo in one of those productions. The young couple would appear in several shows over the years and both would assume leadership roles in the Pageant of the Masters, he as director and she as head of costume design. The couple had a daughter, Jennie, and a son, Douglas. They began their married life together in Eagle Rock, but had settled permanently in Laguna Beach by 1949.

In 1940, he was employed in the Glendale office of architect Graham Latta. The earliest work that we have documented to his credit is a 1947 collaboration with the legendary Paul Williams. The pair designed a private residence in Ontario that is on that city’s Historic Register. His first significant project in Laguna was the Bank of Laguna Beach building at 361 Forest Avenue in 1950. The structure was a sleek, modern building that occupied the corner of Forest and Second Street. It was constructed of brick and had a large brick blade that displayed the firm’s name. Williamson incorporated several clever innovations in his design including radiant heating throughout, an air filtration system to keep interior air fresh, and brick louvres purposed with shielding the interior from the glare of intense south and west sun exposure. The interior space had 7,000 square feet and a main floor and second level mezzanine accessed by a circular stair. The tellers’ windows were arranged in a curved form that facilitated greater privacy for customers. The bank was also the first in Orange County to feature a drive-in window. Don was a founding member of the Orange County chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and served as the chapter President in 1959.  

Frank Lloyd Wright asserted that, “The mother art is architecture.”  People sometimes forget that architects are artists, the blueprint their canvas.  Don Williamson was prolific both as an architect, but also as an artist.  He had a profound impact on the Festival of the Arts and the Pageant of the Masters. He had worked on set design for the Pageant in the late-1930’s and was an assistant director in 1938. When the family returned to Laguna Beach in 1949, he and Jo resumed their involvement with the Festival and the Pageant. He designed the enlarged Irvine Bowl in 1953 and the unique paraboloid roof that so distinctively covers the restaurant on the Festival grounds in 1957. He served on the Pageant’s Board of Directors and in 1964 assumed the position of Director. He would hold that role until 1978. One of his most important innovations at the Pageant was the introduction of the “Build a Painting” feature that gives audiences an opportunity to truly appreciate the artistry that goes into each work featured in the annual show. In 1969 he designed the Forum Theater on the Festival grounds.

He designed several private residences in the city, his first project was the home of his parents on Arroyo Chico. Interestingly, his final project was again a family commission: his personal residence. Don and Jo lost their home in the Great Laguna Fire of October 1993. At age 82 Don took on the task of crafting plans for their new home. Jo died in 1998. Don passed away at home on July 23, 2010 at age 96.  Their grave marker at Pacific View Cemetery in Corona del Mar bears the well-deserved epitath: “Two Bright Stars.”