Otto takes his tools and has moved on.

[Heeltoe914]

I just got word that a Great Driver, A 914 enthusiast who truly lived and breathed 914s, 911s and the Porsche dream has passed. My friend John Williamson.
We all know the knowledge and creations of John. I can truly smile at some of the things I remember him for. I was a 20 year kid going to school in West Los Angeles, I wanted so much to get into 914s. But I had the below average college funding. I found a $1000 non-running 914 and needed some advise to get it going. I found John, AKA; OTTO. First thing he said to me was "take the motor out bring it in we will look at it". I said "I don't have that kind of money!"
Before I could say another word he put a book in my hand and ask me what kind of work can I do. I said I do construction. The next week I bring the motor in and before I can even go take a piss he had the heads off. I said "Whoa! Stop I cant afford this."
Anyone who knew Otto will agree that it does not matter what you say, he is going to do it his way. From that day he showed me all the little tricks on how to do 914 motors. Never did I pay anything, but blood and sweat, working around his shop from time to time.
Fast forward 30 years later, I will miss the great conversation on racing and the personal trust that him and I had. I hope that like me, several of you will understand this loss to the Porsche world. But know like me, that they must have needed a mechanic in heaven.

R.I.P - John Williamson 2-8-13.

Plans are to have ashes spread at Willow Springs Details as thay develop.


Enjoyable read on OTTO
http://www.yovenice.com/2013/02/10/rip-john-otto-williamson/
---------------------------------------------------------------
Leamon S. 9146

[Joe Bob]

Good driver.....good wrench.

[304065]

A great loss to our community. Semper Fi!

My favorite photo from the Otto page:

[tobluforu]

Wait, this isn't the same OTTO of otto's venice, is it?

[TRE Cup]

Wow- Sad news
John was a long time supporter of all things Porsche here in Southern California. His accomplishments were many and varied. He was so helpful with the POC, and SCCA, over the years , and despite his sometimes crusty demeanor could always be counted on to help get your car fixed on or off track
we will miss him
Dave B

[KTL]

RIP Otto. Good guy. No BS from him. He was a straight shooter.

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by tobluforu

Wait, this isn't the same OTTO of otto's venice, is it?

Yupurz.....

[Nostril Cheese]

I used to wander into Otto's shop as a teenager, looking for parts for my 914. Depending on his mood, Otto would either yell at me to get the f*** out or let me go rummage up in his attic. I honestly used to be a bit scared of him. Over the years, I grew to respect his immense knowledge and crusty demeanor. I even grew to tell him often that he "didnt know anything and should hang it up", lol.

I learned a lot from the man. Both in wrenching and driving. I will miss him.

[Shuie]

Rip

[Rot 911]

What????? He was just posting on here a couple of weeks ago.

[Maltese Falcon]

Never a dull moment with John. He called me Herr Schneider.
He mentored my son into a willow springs Road racer.Too many funny
stories for right now...but we are going to miss JW.
Marty

[Cajundaddy]

RIP Otto.

He was a straight shooter and you always knew where you stood. My first day at WSIR was with Otto as instructor. When I got a bit too greedy and went off going 120mph at 9 he was in the right seat. Hanging up my leather key fob as a tribute to him.

Semper fidelis.

[Scott at Pelican Parts]

So sorry to read this.
Otto was always kind to me and I always enjoyed chatting with him. I saw traces of that gruffiness, but he mellowed out considerably in his later years. A true Porsche guy through and through.

And, wow, could he drive. I'll never forget the track day when he was instructing me, driving my stock 911E, coming up on RS clones and obnoxiously honking at them to move over, and then passing them like they were in VW bugs :-)

"You paid to drive this whole track, now use the whole track" (when I'd be too conservative and not drift my car out to the edge)

RIP John.

- Scott

[McLovin]

Wow, sorry to hear that.

As a youth, I spent some time rummaging through his attic looking for treasures. I have to say, he was always very kind to me, both in person and on the phone.

It's been 10+ years since I've seen him, I haven't been in his area in a while. Sorry I wasn't able to see him again.

Rest in peace, John.

[McLovin]

I once brought a 901 trans in for him to look at.
Before I could even say anything, he said "Let's have a look."
I though he meant look in an inspection hole, or the outside of the case, or something.
Instead, he put it on a workbench, and had the thing apart in 60 seconds!

[Peter Zimmermann]

Knew John well. He taught me the right way to balance carbs, and how to find the sweet spot in Turn Two at WSR in my '65 911. Many memories. RIP, John.

[Danimal16]

So sorry to hear this. RIP Otto.

[Quick Chick]

I first met John through the POC. John or "Otto" as most know him was a crusty curmudgeon but one with many redeeming qualities. Always willing to jump in the right seat at POC Short Track events, it was John that taught me on several occasions how and why being smooth was the key to being fast. When I needed Porsche trivia questions for an event, he went digging through his PCA Parade archives and found a bunch of fabulous information for me. After I became a member of the POC board, John wouldn't hesitate to call me when he thought I needed to know something or his opinion. Usually, he was right on target.

On the other hand, he wasn't an instructor for the timid. I've seen a few newbies get out of the car with him and swear to never come back. I've been to dinners with him and his posse where the drink did not stop flowing. Many nights were spent dancing at the "Space Bar" (a very colorful collection of local characters that John loved to be in the middle of) on Sierra Hwy in Lancaster.

For many years, this is how our conversation went before a track event:
John: "Where are you staying?"
Jackie: "The Devonshire"
John: "Why don't come share a room with me?"
Jackie: "Thank you for the offer John but I think not!"

I will raise a glass in your honor tonight John. I know that you are driving a very special Porsche, or two, or ten, as we speak.

Rest in Peace my friend.

[hdp951s]

Sorry to hear, didn't know him well, but he sure helped me out on more than one occasion, such a great loss. RIP Otto

[maxnine11]

I had him do a couple of PPIs, and used to stop in at his shop occasionally when i lived nearby.

The man came with two pails full of character- that's for sure !!
There was no filter between what he thought and what you heard.

RIP Otto; you're a legend of the air-cooled era.