Sonja Kay McWilliams

Sonja McWilliams, 62, of Abilene passed away on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at a local hospital. Visitation will be on Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services will be on Saturday, August 26, at 10:00 am at Southern Hills Church of Christ., with Phil Ware and Richard Melton officiating. Burial will follow at the Hawley Cemetery. Sonja was born on November 6, 1943 in Childress, Texas to Stanley J. Carter and Katherine (Burkhalter) Carter. She grew up in Hawley and graduated from Hawley High School as salutatorian of her class. On June 23, 1962, Sonja married Burl Lee McWilliams at the Hawley Church of Christ. She began her career in banking at Sears Credit Central, followed by First State Bank. For the past sixteen years, Sonja worked as lead teller for First Financial Bank, South Branch, having achieved Teller of the Year the previous six years. She was loved by her co-workers, as well as her many customers. The joy of her life were her grandchildren and going to sporting events in which they were involved. Sonja was a member of Southern Hills Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her father, S.J. "Hooter" Carter in 1979. Sonja is survived by her husband, Burl McWilliams of Abilene; her mother, Katherine Carter of Hawley; her son Todd McWilliams and his wife Debi of San Felipe, Mexico; her daughter Teri Nichols and her husband Tim, of Abilene; and three grandchildren, Jacob, Maci and Braden Nichols of Abilene. Glenn Bilbrey, Rocky Brooks, Tommy Broyles, Bob Hyatt, Guinn Smith and Gerald Windland will serve as pallbearers. Sonja's kind spirit and warm smile will be missed by the many lives that she touched. Memorials may be made in honor of Sonja to the Cancer Service Network, 107 Highland Avenue, Abilene, TX 79605; Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory, Abilene, TX 79601; or the donor's favorite charity.