Sharon “Sher” Williams

Sharon M. Williams of Midland, 73, known by all as Sher, passed away on Thursday, June 9, 2022. A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel.

Sher was born on February 26, 1949 in Silverton, Texas to Mary Blanche O’Neal and William (Bill) Hubert Martin.  She grew up assisting on the family farm and helping take care of her younger siblings. She was baptized in 1961at First Baptist in Silverton and went on to graduate from Silverton High in 1967. She married Larry McWilliams in 1969 and they both attended Southwestern State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma where Lori Suzanne McWilliams was born January 11, 1970.

In 1971 Sher moved to Midland and worked at Western State Bank then eventually got a job in Oil & Gas where she met her husband, David. They married in 1986, weathered the storms of the oil business together, and relocated to Roswell, New Mexico to work on a divestiture project.  While there, they welcomed Lyndsey Allison Williams on November 14, 1990.  Once work ended in Roswell, they moved briefly to San Antonio where Sher worked at the historic Pioneer Flour Mills. Family and friends alike enjoyed Sher’s tours of the grounds at the Mills.  Ultimately, David & Sher returned to Midland in 1992, opened J. David Williams Oil & Gas Properties and together ran their successful business until David’s retirement in 2020. Sher lost David in 2021 but continued to go to the office, began traveling, and increased time spent entertaining family and friends at the Bar Double J Ranch in Mills County.

Sher had a strong and steadfast work ethic that she acquired growing up as a “farm girl”. Her work ethic served her well running the business with David.  You could always find her in the office as she rarely missed a day.  As many know, her office door was always open ready to receive visitors and friends to share conversation.  Sher was known for her ability to wear all the jewelry, dress beautifully, her stunning blue eyes, her love of the ranch in Mills County, and her longhorns.

Sher was an avid skier most of her adult life and loved the mountains.  She loved sharing ski vacations with family and friends.  Sher enjoyed travelling the United States and was blessed recently to visit places she had never before seen.  We knew from the photos and smiles that her travels gave her joy.

Sher had a passion for music, especially classic rock, which she passed to both daughters.  Her favorite musician was Tom Petty and Sher’s vehicle radio was continuously set to his satellite radio channel.

Sher had a green thumb and loved her garden. She never missed an opportunity to photograph a beautiful flower or dig up a cactus at the Ranch. Some of Sher’s happiest times were spent outdoors enjoying the trees, wildflowers, wildlife, and terrain of the Ranch.

Sher was a proud MiMi to her grandchildren. She enjoyed many happy times with Owen, Devyn, Jehan, & Kahlil and was always quick to show pictures and tell everyone about them.  MiMi was a particularly patient driving instructor when both younger grandchildren learned to drive the ranger and stay on the roads of the Ranch.

All who knew and loved her will agree that Sher had the ability to make a personal connection with everyone she met in her daily life; she easily made friends and converted friends to family.

Sher is survived by her daughter Lori McWilliams Gersbach and husband Richard O. Gersbach of Belton, daughter Lyndsey Allison Williams of Midland, grandchildren Owen and Devyn Gersbach of Belton, and Jehan and Kahlil Gersbach of Pembroke Pines, FL. Sher is survived by her siblings Ramona Martin and husband Gary Martin of Silverton, Mike Martin of Tulia, Jennifer Marley of Bowie, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sher is preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, J. David Williams, Jr., her parents Mary & Bill Martin, her siblings Jimmy Dale Martin, Jerry Wayne Martin, William Earle Martin, Carolyn Carlile, and Mary Ann Scarbrough Moody.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards Zach Gleason, Todd & Vicki Turner, and our precious friends and family who have been with us during this challenging time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lone Star Animal Sanctuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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