W. J. " Sonny" Banks

Oswalt - William Jess “Sonny” Banks left this world November 6, 2016 at his home surrounded by the family that he loved, following an extended illness. Home going services will be Friday, November 11, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Cheek Baptist Church with interment following at Oswalt Cemetery with Morgan Ashworth officiating and Calvin Woods providing the Eulogy. Family visitation will be November 10, 2016 from 6 to 8pm at Alexander Funeral Home in Wilson.

Sonny was born December 17, 1941 to Fred and Mildred Jones Banks at Simon, Oklahoma. He lived all his life in Oklahoma with all but 1 year in Love County. Sonny was bigger than life. Everyone knew when he was around with his laughter and loud talking, and to be honest that talking could be a little on the rough side. But if you knew him, you knew it was only talk. He was a fierce friend, and there isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his friends or family.

Sonny met the love of his life, Christine McCartney, when they were 14 years old; they married on December 21, 1959. Christine loved and cared for him throughout their 56 years of marriage and devoted the last eight years to caring for him in their home. Sonny and Christine brought 4 children, Belinda, Karen, Ricky, and Jamie, into this world. They also welcomed many other children into their home to care for throughout their years together. After the death of their parents, they loved and accepted his little sister Betty into their family and raised her as their own.

Life on the bayou will never be the same without Sonny around, and he is already missed by all of us. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Banks Roe, his parents Fred and Mildred, and daughter-in-law Linda Banks.

He is survived by his wife, Christine of the home, daughter Belinda Wild and husband, Richard, sons Ricky Banks and James (Jamie) Banks and wife, Jamie, son-in-law Anthony Roe and sister Betty Garrett and husband, Steve, six grandsons, Aaron Roe and wife Shelly, Jason Roe, Erick Banks and wife Amanda, Kyle Banks and wife Brooke, Robert Wild, and Tanner Banks; granddaughters Amber Trammell and husband Alan, Heather Holland and husband Daniel, Lauryn Banks; special nieces Christina Garrett, Tabitha Marjerrison, and Michelle Garrett; special nephew Jeremy Graham; eleven great-grandchildren plus four on the way, and four special great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by special friend Bobby Campbell and numerous other cousins and friends.

Pallbearers will be Sonny’s grandsons, Aaron, Jason, Erick, Kyle, Robert, and Tanner.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his honor to Cross Timbers Hospice or Serenity House of Southern Oklahoma.

Condolences may be sent online at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org