Gloria Williams

Gloria Williams, 87, of Abilene, Texas passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 30, at 10:00am in the Wesley Court Atrium with Dr. Jeff Reid officiating. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 31, at 10:00am at Wylie Baptist Church with Bro. Jack Ridlehoover officiating. Burial will be in Dallas at Restland Memorial Park at 10:00am, Thursday, June 1, with Dr. Dennis Koger officiating. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. Gloria was born in Houston, TX, to George and Frances Patterson on December 20, 1929. She graduated from Forest Ave. High School in Dallas, TX. In 1949, she earned an associate's degree from Decatur Baptist Junior College, Decatur, TX. Gloria's undergraduate degree was earned at the University of Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, TX, and she earned a Master's degree from Texas Women's University, Denton, TX., which included graduate work completed at the University of London in England. Gloria married Roland Williams, August 22, 1948, at Birchman Ave. Baptist Church in Ft. Worth, TX. Her influence to Roland's ministry is evident in each life she touched. She served as a Sunday School teacher and director, G.A. counselor and choir member, among various other church responsibilities. Gloria was a member of Wylie Baptist Church and was instrumental in organizing a Sunday Morning Bible Study at Wesley Court Senior Living. She was serving as Chaplain of the John Davis Chapter of the DAR, Abilene. She and Roland enjoyed traveling. Germany, England and Hawaii were a few of their favorite destinations. Throughout their retirement years they traveled in their RV, spent valuable time on their farm at Zephyr, and never missed a Texas Ranger game (she knew the names of all the players). Gloria's heart was as big as Texas and we know that because her heart encompassed each of ours, and she never ran out of hugs. She volunteered at Hospice, donated blood and platelets, sang at nursing homes with her church's Senior Adult choir, and baked cookies every Monday at Wesley Court. For 21 years Gloria taught public school English and touched the lives of many students in Corpus Christi and Abilene. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, George and Frances Patterson. She is survived by her husband of almost 69 years, Roland; daughter, Jan Koger and husband, Dennis; son, Wiley and wife, Tina; sister, Modena Gilley; brother George Patterson and wife, Pauline; and sister, Martha Johnson and husband Wayne. She is also survived by her darling grandchildren: Mandy Koger; Michael Koger and wife Amber; Melody Lusk and husband, Thad; Madison Williams; Matt Koger and wife, Kris and their children, Justin, Travis, Ally and Landon. Her youngest blessings are her 4 great-grandchildren: Libbie, Pennie and Koger Lusk and Maverick Ann Koger. Pallbearers will be David Allen, James Greer, Ken Hogan, Clyde McMinn, Joel Pike and Mike Ward. Memorials may be given to International Missions Board through the Wylie Baptist Church, 6097 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX 79606. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all of Wesley Court; Dr. Victor Hudman and the hospitalist group; Drs. Sandip Mathur, Charisse Ward, and Amelia Yeh; as well as the compassionate, caring nurses on the 2nd floor, ICU, Abilene Regional Medical Center.