Sandra Louise Hathaway

Sandra Louise Williams Hathaway

November 4, 1943 - October 27, 2025

Sandra Louise Williams Hathaway died peacefully at home on October 27, 2025, after a long illness. She was born November 4th, 1943, in El Campo, Texas, to Emmitte Weyman Williams and Carolyn Louise Cardwell Williams and grew up in Rosenberg, Texas.

Sandra graduated from Lamar High School in 1961, attended Texas A&I, and graduated from Sam Houston State College in 1966. After college she moved to New York City and worked as a stewardess for Pan Am Airlines for about 2 and a half years. On one of her trips, she met Dr. Walter R. Hathaway who she married in the spring of 1969, moving to his home in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Around the beginning of 1972 they moved back to her home state of Texas, first to San Antonio, and a couple years later to Beaumont. Of her early years she said: "Horses were the center of my world and I rode daily, maintained various horses in Rosenberg and spent wonderful years going with Mother and Daddy to the Youth Rodeos. There were a few moments of greatness, but the best was, of course, the night I won my saddle in Wharton, Texas. My horse was Joe and he and I would go on together to Texas A&I where Joe, Mother and I were the girls rodeo team." In the summer of 1963, she became the first Miss Rodeo Texas (and won the best dressed award in a green wool suit her mother made for her). She went on to the Miss Rodeo America competition in Las Vegas that fall, where she was first runner up. Her involvement with Miss Rodeo Texas continued in her later years as a judge and member of its board of directors.

When she married Walt she also became stepmother to his three children, aged 8 to 13, who she loved and by whom she was greatly loved. She would take us on cross-country trips for vacation while Walt worked and would then fly out to meet us at our destination. Sandra became a Realtor in San Antonio and continued in that work, moving up to being a owner/broker with RE/MAX Beaumont. With the Beaumont Board of Realtors Sandra was a member of the board of directors, 1987 Sales Person of the Year, and Education Chair from 1987 to 1991. She was also recipient of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame award in 1996. Sandra was a member and 1985-1986 president of the Jefferson County Medical Auxiliary member, and a member of Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. Sandra's early love of horses moved to a love of dogs when she met Walt and his Great Dane Mike and Irish Wolfhound Patty, and she has had and loved many dogs over the years.

Sandra has been an active member of Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church since around 1994 and it became a central part of her life. She served on its Sister's Guild, Altar Guild and Vestry, and was a member of its Foundation Board. A close friend summarized her as "Faithful to her church and her Savior. Always willing to help. Lived her faith. Loved her life. Loved all those whose lives she touched. She will be sorely missed."

Sandra was predeceased by her parents, Emmitte and Carolyn Williams; husband, Walter Hathaway; and son, John Hathaway. She is survived by her partner and dearest friend, Don Masters; brother, WD Williams; son, David Hathaway and his wife, Carolyn Greene; daughter, Janet Hathaway and her husband, Tim Hooton; and her son John's widow, Jacqueline Tonge.

Memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of Southeast Texas, 2050 Spindletop Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77705 or Holy Cross Monastery, 521 County Road 2575, Woodville, Texas 75979.

A memorial service for Mrs. Hathaway will be 4:00 p.m., Saturday, November 1, 2025, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 4090 Delaware Street, Beaumont, with a Celebration of Life reception to follow in Broce Hall, on campus. Her cremation arrangements were handled through Broussard's Crematorium under the direction of Broussard's, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.