Wife of Hank Williams Jr.—Mary Jane Thomas—Dies Unexpectedly

The wife of Country Music Hall of Famer Hank Williams Jr. died unexpectedly in Jupiter, Florida on Tuesday, March 22nd, according to the family. Mary Jane Thomas, who Hank Williams Jr. married in 1990, was at the Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa when around 5:00 PM, a call was made to authorities. Mary Jane was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. Mary Jane Thomas was believed to be 58-years-old, though some reports are marking her age at 61.

Though the investigation into Mary Jane’s death is preliminary, early indications are that she suffered a complication after a medical procedure, possibly a blood clot, according to a family source. At this time, the death is not being considered suspicious.

Mary Jane Thomas was a native of Dayton Beach, Florida, and was known for enjoying the area’s beaches. After attending college, she became a model, and among other gigs, became known for her work with Hawaiian Tropic Lotion. Mary Jane met Hank Williams Jr. in 1985 after a concert in Washington State. They were together for five years before marrying on July 2nd, 1990 at the University Congregational Church in Missoula, Montana. It was Mary Jane’s first marriage, and Hank Jr.’s fourth.

In 2007, the couple announced they would seek a divorce after sixteen years of marriage, but later reconciled, and called off the annulment. Mary Jane preferred to remain out of the spotlight after the marriage, rarely appearing in red carpet engagements and other public functions, or appearing on social media posts from the family. However, Mary Jane Thomas did appear at Hank Jr.’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony on November 21st, 2021.

The couple had two children—Sam Williams, who is also a music performer, and Katherine Williams-Dunning, a.k.a. Katie, who passed away on June 13th, 2020 in a vehicle accident.

The death of Mary Jane Thomas is the latest tragedy in a string of unfortunate incidents for Hank Williams Jr.’s family, including the death of daughter Katie in 2020. Hank Jr.’s daughters Hilary and Holly Williams from his marriage to Becky White were both severely injured in an auto accident in 2006, with Hilary going into cardiac arrest and having to be flown by helicopter to the hospital.

Hank Williams Jr.’s son Sam Williams claimed in February that he is currently in a conservatorship operated by his father and half sister Holly, stimulated in part due to the death of his sister. Now Sam Williams is dealing with the death of his mother.

“My dear Mama Mary Jane was a beautiful soul who forever affected everyone who knew her,” Sam Williams said. “She had a smile and presence that lit up every room, and she never met a stranger she didn’t befriend. Her spirit was gentle and giving. She could take down a ten-point buck and fix dinner for her grandchildren at the same time!”