Sammy Joe McWilliams was born August 3, 1956 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and passed away peacefully December 9, 2010 in Oklahoma City, with his wife at his side. Sammy Joe came to Wellston at the age of 5 where he attended Wellston Public School and later attended high school in Abilene, Kansas.

He proudly served his country in the U. S. Army and National Guard.

He worked for Jackie Cooper as a brake specialist retiring in January 2010.

Sammy Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents; special aunts and uncles, and his son, Danny Lee McWilliams.

He is survived by his wife, Rena Nelson-McWilliams of the home; parents, Wes and Dormalee McWilliams of Wellston, Mary Taylor of Sand Springs; two sons, David McWilliams of Tennessee, Neil McWilliams of Oklahoma City; four daughters, Charlotte Swindle of Del City, Megan McWilliams of Oklahoma City, Tamara Nelson and Taylor Nelson both of the home; brother Randy Taylor of Sand Springs; four sisters, Judy and husband Kenny Jarrett of Sand Springs, Vickie and husband Jerry Lorenz, Cindy and husband Allen Hagar, Betty and husband Bob Waterson all of Wellston; eight grandchildren, Destani, Isaiah, Micah, Dakota, Alyssa, Elizabeth, Lavender and Taliyah; and a host of special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends who will miss him dearly.

A funeral service was held Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at the Lehman Funeral Home with interment following in the Wellston Cemetery under the direction of Lehman Funeral Home of Wellston.