Jimmy Wayne Sojourner

Jimmy Wayne Sojourner, 82, of Casper, Wyoming and Abilene, Texas passed away on November 24, 2016 in Merkel, Texas after a lengthy illness. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 6, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, with Michael Howard of the Cowboy Church of Ennis officiating. His cremains will be buried in Hamby Cemetery. Arrangements are being made by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, Abilene. Jimmy was born in Cisco, Texas to William Clinton Sojourner Sr. and Rita Evelyn (Colvin) Sojourner on September 7,1934. He grew up in the Seven Sisters region of Texas and graduated from Abilene High School in 1950 at the age of 15. He married Byrdie Lee West of Abilene on June 8, 1954. He graduated from Texas A & M University with Master Degrees in Petroleum Engineering and Geology in 1955 at age 20, working as a geologist for Davis Oil and Sojourner Drilling and Exploration before going independent in 1971. In 1967 he moved to Casper, Wyoming, where he worked until his retirement in the 1990s. He served as President of both the Abilene and the Casper Petroleum Clubs and First Vice President of the Wyoming Geological Society. He was a member of the American Petroleum Institute and Texas A & M Century Club among other organizations. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, even winning the Texas State Bass Team Tournament in 1967. He was an avid reader and always had a desire to learn. Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents Bill Sr. and Rita Sojourner, his brother Bill Sojourner Jr., first wife Byrdie Lee Sojourner, and second wife Janet Lee Sojourner. He is survived by his children, Scott Sojourner (and Susan) of Casper, Wyoming, Kent Sojourner of Boulder, Wyoming, Shanna Viola (and Vince) of Abilene, Texas, and Michael Sean Sojourner (and Dora) of Mineola, Texas; his sister, Barbra Ruth Sojourner, and sister-in-law, Barbra Ann Sojourner; grandchildren, Melissa Crouch, Travis Sojourner (and Diana), Kaitlyn Viola, and Nicholas Viola; and great-grandchildren, Nason Sojourner, Willy Sojourner, and Joah Crouch; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and dear friend, Ila Ruth Newton. The family of Jimmy wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Hendrick Hospice, Hendrick Medical Center, Merkel Nursing Center, and Visiting Angels, especially Kara, for all of their support and kindness. Memorials may be given to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1651 Pine St., Abilene, TX 79601.