Keith and Diana Williamson use diagnosis to help others

Keith and Diana Williamson with their dog, CoCo.

The Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center.

University of Oklahoma alumni Keith and Diana Williamson of Norman, Okla., have been hit hard by the “c” word in recent years. First, when Diana was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2015 and again in 2020, when Keith was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Both underwent treatment at OU’s Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center and are grateful for their care and experiences there.

“It’s devastating to hear ‘cancer,’ but we were blessed to receive top-notch treatment,” Diana said. “Through our journey, we came to realize that people cope with their diagnosis and treatment in different ways. Some put their experiences behind them, while others choose to get involved with cancer-related causes.” The Williamsons chose the latter.

The couple hopes to make cancer diagnosis and treatment more accessible for patients in Oklahoma’s rural areas through a recent $500,000 pledge to the OU Foundation creating the Keith and Diana Williamson Urologic Oncology Fund.

“We began thinking about a gift after attending a presentation at Stephenson by Dr. Michael Cookson, Keith’s urologic oncologist. He mentioned a need to do outreach in areas that were not well-served,” said Diana. “Men are much more reticent about getting checkups and are more likely to be seen if there are mobile units to come to them. That hit home for us.”

“Through their generosity, Diana and Keith Williamson will improve the care of prostate cancer patients in the state of Oklahoma,” said Cookson, professor and chairman of the OU College of Medicine Department of Urology and chief of urology at Stephenson. “We will be able to further research educational initiatives directed at prostate cancer awareness, detection, community outreach, and treatment for men.

“Prostate cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, and advanced cancers at the time of diagnosis are unfortunately on the rise,” Cookson added. “This funding will inevitably save lives, and that is the best gift we can give.”

Keith, a 1970 OU BS in civil engineering from Altus, Okla., and Diana, a 1971 BA in history from Norman, met in 1967. Diana’s roommate, who also was from Altus, introduced them over Thanksgiving break. They married in 1970 and moved to Altus two years later.

Keith successfully owned and managed Wilco Construction Inc. for more than 30 years and, during that time, also became interested in the stock market. He formed an investment club to help friends in the community learn how to capitalize on earnings. Diana enjoyed a 17-year teaching career. They returned to Norman in 2006.

The couple’s daughter, Jennifer, and son, Brian, are also OU graduates.

The Williamsons say their support was a direct result of their experience at Stephenson Cancer Center. “We learned that most of the gifts to Stephenson are limited to specific areas,” Keith said. “We want our gift to be used wherever the need is greatest. We just hope it can help other people receive benefit from better treatment, better equipment and increased staff.”

“We are just so grateful for all they’ve done for us,” Diana concluded. “Keith and I often say that Stephenson saved both of our lives.”