Joel E. Williamsen, 64, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away peacefully in his sleep February 11, 2026.

Joel was born April 29th, 1961 in West Point, Nebraska. He attended Alder Grove Elementary School and Junior High School in Craig. He attended Oakland-Craig High School and graduated in 1979. Joel attended college at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He then went on to get his Masters’ and Doctorate degrees at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Joel got married to Jill Haugland in Sutherland, Nebraska in 1984. During that union they adopted their two children, David and Daphney. The marriage ended in 2009.

Joel worked as a Mechanical Engineer for the Army, was an Aerospace Engineer for NASA, a Director for the Center for Space System Survivability at the University of Denver, and a Task Leader for Special Projects Development, Live Fire Test and Evaluation for the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA). Throughout his career he jointly held patents and software copyrights which included Enhanced Hypervelocity Impact Shield and Space Station Pressure Wall Patch, to name a couple. He was also the recipient of numerous awards such as the NASA Silver Snoopy award in 2001.

Joel also enjoyed writing and published a book in 2009 called “Barrelhouse Boys”. He was working on his second novel, “Under the Rocket City” but sadly did not finish it.

In 2010, Joel married Linda Brothers (Wickstrom). They moved to Huntsville, AL in 2011. Together they traveled to Italy, France, Germany, and Ireland, to mention a few. Joel loved travel, music, fishing, friends, and especially family. He also assembled a quartet called “The Luthermen” and they sang together for several years.

Joel is preceded in death by his mother Sally Williamsen. Survivors include his wife Linda (Huntsville, AL), son David (Jackson, MI), daughter Daphney (Ryan) Davis (Huntsville, AL), step-daughters Jamie (Luke) Renken, Huntsville, AL; Jodi (Quinn Bracelen) Brothers (Everett, WA); grandsons Laynden and Jonathan, granddaughter Rayven, step-granddaughter Rachel Brothers; and step-grandson Ethan Renken. Other survivors also include his father Roger Williamsen of NE, sisters Jenna (Shanon) Morris of NE, Judy (Layne) Gebers of TN, and brother Jon Williamsen of TN, half-sister April (Rick) Stonebreaker of PA, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, February 28th at 1:00 p.m. following visitation at 12:00 p.m. at Latham Methodist Church, 109 Weatherly Road, Huntsville, Alabama which will be live streamed from the churchs Facebook pages. A later memorial service will be held in Nebraska. Joel will be laid to rest at Alder Grove Church Cemetary in rural Burt County, Nebraska with a date to be determined.

“Joel’s on Travel Again!”