Shirley Gooch Williams

Shirley Gooch Williams, 90, of Abilene, passed away Friday, November 18, 2022.  Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at First Baptist Church Sanctuary with Dr. Phil Christopher officiating.  Burial will follow in the Hamby Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Shirley was born in Shackelford County, Texas on October 14, 1932, to Dee and Mildred Gooch.  She attended elementary school in the Rock Hill community in Shackelford County.  Shirley attended North Junior High in Abilene, and graduated from Abilene High School in 1949.  She went on to graduate from Hardin-Simmons University in 1953 with a degree in Elementary Education.

Shirley married W.M. “Bill” Williams on December 26, 1952.  He preceded her in death on April 22, 2002.  She and Bill both began teaching in Abilene in the fall of 1953.  She taught school for a total of 31 years, in Abilene ISD, St. John’s Episcopal School, and Tye Elementary School, before retiring in 1999.  Shirley and Bill were members of First Baptist Church where they were members of the Fellowship Sunday School Class and the Senior Adult Class.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dee and Mildred Gooch; her husband, W.M. “Bill” Williams; one sister, Sue Fillmon, and one granddaughter, Holly Williams.

Shirley is survived by two sons, Jimmy Williams, and wife, Cathy, of Abilene, John Williams, and wife, Adella, of Prosper, and two daughters, Diane Leggett, and husband, Kenneth, of Abilene, and Donna Haynes, and husband, Mark, also of Abilene; sister, Charlotte O’Donald, and husband, Bobby; sister-in-law, Ouida Johnson; brother-in-law, Donald Williams, and wife, Rose Mary; ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorials may be made in Shirley’s memory to First Baptist Church Missions Foundation, 1333 North 3rd St., Abilene, TX 79601, or to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1651 Pine St., Abilene, TX 79601.