James Willie "J.W." Sampson , 73, of Thackerville, OK, was born on December 18, 1952, in Oklahoma City, OK to the late Odell Wylie and Thelma Lucille (Bratcher) Sampson. He passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Medical City in Denton, TX.

J.W. married the former Sharon Marie Jones on July 31, 1987, in Enville, OK.

J.W. received his associates degree and went on to work as an engineer with Mercy Memorial Health Center in Ardmore for many years, doing many varying jobs as they were needed. For fun, he would watch YouTube videos of people repairing things, often overheard talking to the video telling the person doing the video what to do next. He enjoyed working on cars and going to tractor pulls, hunting and just relaxing drinking coffee on his porch. He had lived in Thackerville his entire lifetime.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Sally Stephens.

Left to cherish J.W.'s memory are his wife Sharon of the home; sons, John Paul Christie and wife Lisa of Sanger, TX, and Chris Mauldin and wife Janet of Thackerville, OK; daughters, Jamie Crowe and husband Mason of Denison, TX, Melissa Sampson of El Reno, OK, and Kim Parham of Powell, OK; grandchildren Aiden Christie, Ava Christie, Autumn Gamble and Trevor Gamble; brothers, Eddie Sampson and wife Margaret Marietta, Danny Sampson and wife Marlene of Thackerville; sister, Linda Whittington and husband David of Valley View, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Monday, February 2, at the Thackerville Community Church with Pastor Chris Mauldin officiating. Services are under the direction of Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Marietta.