Merlene Williams

Donnie Merlene Brown Williams entered this life on October 3,1934 in Spur, Texas in the home of her maternal grandparents. She departed this life on January 25, 2026. Merlene was the oldest of 6 children bom to J.D. (Dawson) Brown and Lorene (Pinkerton) Brown. Her father was a farmer in Rochester, Texas. Merlene attended school in Rochester until 1950 when Dawson moved the family to Abilene. She was an honor student and outstanding volleyball player for Rochester and Abilene High School. She never failed to be on the starting line up in all the games she played. Although she graduated from Abilene High, she attended every Rochester homecoming and reunion for her class of '52 until about 5 years ago.

Gene and Merlene started their lives together in Snyder where she worked as a secretary in elementary school. She also did monogramming for the public, helping to send Gene to school to get his masters and school administrative degrees. After moving to Albany in 1976, she served as the secretary at Albany High School and worked there for nearly twenty years. She and Gene enjoyed crafting together and for several years, had a booth at the Tenuvous Mall in Albany. With the rest of the family begging them to move to Abilene, they finally found a house and moved in 1997. They immediately placed membership at Hillcrest Church of Christ where the rest of the family attended.

Visitation will be 4:30 to 6:30pm Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home. 

Memorial service will be 2:00pm Thursday January 29, 2026 , at Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E Ambler Ave, Abilene, TX 79601. Arrangements are with The Hamil Family Funeral  Home 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd, Abilene, Texas 79606.

Merlene is survived by her husband of 73 years, Gene Williams; daughters Gelene and husband Eddie McFadden of Graham, and Kathy and husband Kelly Moore of Abilene; grandchildren Leslie and husband Brian Thompson, Kyle and wife Beth Moore, Randi Hyatt, Kallie Pringle and Clayton Burleson, Kasey and husband Wes Lambert, Bradye and Josh McQueen; great-grandchildren Slade Thompson, Everly Moore, Clifton Hyatt, Parker and Scotland Pringle, Carter and Scarlett Burleson, Lane and Allie Lambert, and Esther and Liam McQueen; also, “Special Asian Granddaughter” Sandy Lu of Taipei, Taiwan.

She is also survived by her brother, Foy and wife Barbara Brown of Henderson, her sisters Linda Easterling of Abilene and Janice and husband Al Young of San Antonio, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Melba Hartley and her brother Jesse Brown.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Hendrick Hospice for providing exquisite care for Merlene during her brief illness and final days. Memorials in her honor may be made to the Missions Ministry or Benevolence Ministry at Hillcrest Church of Christ, Hendrick Hospice, Christ’s Haven for Children or the charity of your choice.