Sheila Gay Williams Hester

Sheila Gay Williams Hester, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday morning, December 28, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. Sheila is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Davis Williams. Sheila exemplified a fierce unwavering love for God, Country, Family. Among those honoring her life are Ernie Hester, and her siblings Brenda Williams, Martha Holland (Alan), John Williams (Sherry), Kathey Watts, and Jimmy Williams. Sheila’s energetic personality and joyful laughter could fill even the largest of rooms. Sheila’s nature was to be a positive influence and lift up others to help them be their best. Throughout her life, Sheila invested time, energy, money, love, and guidance into each of her brothers and sisters. Although she did not have children of her own, she loved her nieces and nephews as if they were her own. Now as adults, Daniel, Alana, D.J., Adrienne, Kaitlin, and Jacquelyn cherish fond memories of Sheila during family gatherings and church. Sheila regularly treated her nieces and nephews to Saturday outings to the movies, shopping, and other activities. Professionally, Sheila was an over-achiever as well. She served 35 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, 87 th Division (Exercise) in Birmingham, AL. In 1993, Sheila Gay Williams, made history by becoming the first female Sergeant Major (E-9) in the history of the 87 th Division. The rank of Sergeant Major is the highest military rank held by enlisted soldiers. Her military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserves Component Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, NCO Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Marksman Marksmanship Badge Rifle/M-16. Education was extremely important to Sheila. Her military education includes Non-Commissioned (NCO) Basic and Advanced Courses, Observer Control Course, Senior NCO Course, First Sergeant Course, Master Fitness Trainer, Command Sergeant Major (Designee), Small Group Instructor Trainer, and Sergeants Major Academy. In addition to her military education and career, Sheila graduated from the University of Alabama in Birmingham with a double major in accounting and finance, and the Birmingham School of Law. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), she retired as the Chief Housing Auditor with the Birmingham Housing Authority. Sheila attended the Church of the Highlands and read her Bible faithfully. She believed in the promises of the Lord: He has prepared a place for all who believe in Him (John 14:2-3) and she would one day dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23). Sheila Williams Hester will be laid to rest with full military honors on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 11:45 AM in the Alabama National Cemetery. 3133 Hwy 119, Montevallo, AL 35115. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Sheila’s memory by sponsoring a wreath and/or volunteering with the Alabama National Cemetery – Wreaths Across America. https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/15482/Overview/?relatedId=0

Sheila Gay Williams Hester

June 19, 1951 - December 28, 2025