Sammie Joe Williams

Sammie Joe Williams, 84, of Alex, OK, passed away peacefully after a brief battle with stage 4 lymphoma, in his home with his son and nephew lovingly by his side.  Sammie was a lifelong resident of the Alex community, and his loss will leave a deep void.

Sammie was born the oldest of five children to Glen and Martha Williams in Alex, OK, on June 29, 1938.  He graduated from Alex High School in 1957, where he met the love of his life Wilma Rodgers.  They married on June 11, 1960.  On May 13, 1962, they welcomed their only child, a son, Timothy Jay.

Sammie worked for the Soil Conservation Service for more than 38 years.  His survey team was responsible for many flood control projects on most creeks and tributaries across the entire state.  He was extremely proud of their work and had a story to share when crossing every bridge while traveling with his family.  Sammie's true passion was on the farm.  Upon retirement and taking over the Rodgers family farm, Sammie "relaxed" by growing wheat and alfalfa and operating an Angus cow/calf herd.  His favorite farm chore was teaching his three grandchildren to drive in the pasture.  Sammie was an avid University of Oklahoma sports fan.  He has been a season ticket holder for football, men's and women's basketball, and softball for many years.  He began taking his son to football games in 1972, and that tradition continued until Sammie's passing.

Sammie was a simple man with an unmistakable laugh.  He was confident, content, at peace with his salvation, and an example to all.  He cherished each day with an appreciation that most ignore.  He found blessings in the simplest and sometimes unusual places.  He loved to mow and wished he could mow the grass year-round.  He loved the smell of a freshly plowed field and how the honeysuckles smelled in the springtime.  He valued friendship and spending time with his domino buddies and their pheasant and elk hunting trips.  Sammie's greatest blessing was seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and them calling him Pa-paw.

Sammie was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma; father, Glen; his mother, Martha; brother, Jerry; and sister-in-law, Karen.

His son Timothy Jay of Alex survives him; grandchildren Jayma Lively and husband Sean of Oklahoma City; Jordan McArthur and husband Chris of Oklahoma City; JaCoby Williams and wife Tran of Guthrie.  Great-granddaughters Rowan and Britta of Guthrie.  Daughter-in-law Kelly Williams of Edmond.  Brothers Robert Williams and wife Linda of Alex; Jimmy Williams of Duncan.  Sister Glenda Fenimore and husband Melvin of Blanchard.  Brother -in-law John Rodgers and wife Diana of Chickasha; Sister-in-law Edna McCumber of Wichita. Nephews John Williams, John L. Rodgers, Justin Williams and Chase Rodgers.  Nieces Michelle Green, Jan Pipkin, Jamie Rose, Susan Fenimore, Robyn Williams, Rachel Keever and Kandyce Cudjo.  Beloved German Shorthair "Sport" and many cousins, great-nieces, and nephews.

A memorial/celebration of life will be on Saturday, April 1, at 11:00am at the Alex High School gymnasium.  The family requests that you consider donating to the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center of OKC instead of flowers.

Viewing will be from 9:00am until 7:00pm Thursday and Friday at McRay Funeral Home.