Zachary Brewer McWilliams' Obituary
Zachary Brewer McWilliams loved his dogs and hosting legendary parties. He didn't often combine them.
He preferred parties that he planned himself.
He discovered early, his talent for orchestrating all the action. At Metro Christian High School - Zach's house became the activity center, the clubhouse and, when he could get away with it, the nightclub (stripper pole included).
His pledge class helped bring Sigma Chi back to The University of Oklahoma, where his vision and leadership as Social Chair of the fraternity was a natural fit. Following in the footsteps of both of his father, a cardiologist, and his mother, a nurse, Zach always intended to wind up in the medical field. However, his true passion and gift was for bringing people together.
His legendary parties - especially his unforgettable New Year's Eve celebrations - were nothing short of epic. With bartenders, bouncers, and even his own pole-dancing routine for entertainment, he made sure every gathering was an experience.
Making other people happy made Zach happy. He was a connector of people, a provider of experiences. He would stand back and survey the scene he'd created, the friends he'd invited, people talking after introductions he'd made and he'd feel a sense of pride.
He was particular about the details: the music, the food, the quality of the beer or liquor.
He prioritized quality - but only at the right price. Zachary was frugal and never wanted to spend more than absolutely necessary for catering or cocktails, so he would invest serious time and energy searching for the lowest prices or bids.
It was that kind of frugality that led him to attempt his own home repairs.... which led to the kind of results everyone who knew and loved him expected. Not good. But he didn't overpay!
Bestowed with remarkable athletic prowess- Zach was also doing handstands and pull-ups and just generally showing off how strong and nimble he was. At Big Shots at the Grand Lake, he demonstrated incredible skill on the stripper pole. He eagerly undertook back-flips off of any raised platform, from the deck of a pontoon boat to the cliffs in Vietnam and The Lake of the Ozarks. (The boys on the boat, the very young cousins, were impressed and wanted to try it too. Their mothers would not let them.)
Zach was a friend unlike any other. His loyalty ran deep, and no matter what challenges he was facing in his own life, he always made time for those he cared about. If you needed him, he was there - with a listening ear, honest advice (brutally honest), and a heart wide open. Friends considered him more than a companion or good-time pal - he was a confidant, a counselor, and a constant source of wisdom.
He had a rare ability to truly listen, and his thoughtful, sincere advice often came at just the right moment. He was, in every sense, the best kind of therapist for those lucky enough to call him a best friend.
Everyone who loved Zach would have to admit- yes, he was stubborn - as solid and immovable as a rock at times - but that only made his authenticity shine brighter.
The great love of Zachary's life was Sarah Kathrine Beard. Zach saw her walking down the staircase at Big Shots on Grand Lake in the summer of 2012 in a white mini dress, and turned to his buddy Josh and confidently declared that she was going to end up with him. He turned out to be completely right. They had 12 years in Tulsa, together through thick and thin. Everyone who knew them agreed that they had one of the best relationships they'd ever seen. They fit together so seamlessly, and made it look so effortless. And for them, it really was that easy.
There were trips to New York City for Broadway shows, Ibiza and Vietnam with friends, and many summer's spent out at Grand Lake.
But if that was the thick - there was also a lot of thin - pain and suffering and loss.
Zachary was still grieving the death of his beloved mother Pamela K Brewer in 2012 when he met Sarah. Sarah helped him see the possibilities, the hope. And she was with him when he lost his father Gregory J McWilliams in 2022.
And anyone who knew Zachary would understand why his dogs are critical to his story.
Zachary was just a boy when he got his first puppy. And he just adored Bear who lived a nice long life. Roxy joined the family, surprising Zach that he could love another dog as much as he loved Bear.
And then there was Lola. He spotted her as a tiny puppy, abandoned in the road, afflicted with mange. He brought her home and helped her back to health.
Lola was with him when he lost his mom. And dad. And Grandpa and Grandma Brewer and Nana McWilliams. She was with him when he lost Bear and Roxy.
Lola gave Zach a raison d'etre, a reason for being, for getting up in the morning and getting outside. He swore he communicated with her telepathically. And she was there for him when he lost his way.
When Lola got sick- Zach went out of his way to care for her- showing the same devotion and determination he'd demonstrated when his mother was dying.
Zach took Lola for midnight walks in the local park- so she could lay in the grass and gaze at the moon. Ever the planner- he consulted friends and family about the logistics of an elaborate bucket-list trip for Lola.
The picture he took with Lola and Sarah at the beach in Galveston could've set the standard for any holiday card. What you would not see is the effort required to carry an 80 pound pitbull with a weak bladder up and down three flights of stairs at the beach house.
When Lola died in October - Zachary said, a piece of him broke, permanently.
Zachary died unexpectedly July 31, 2025, at 36 years of age.
He never wanted to leave Sarah Beard but death took him.
His uncles survive him and could not save him. Robert S. Brewer, Charles McWilliams, J. Scott McWilliams, and his aunt Jean Ann McWilliams Foley-Cole.
His cousins adored him.
On his mom's side: They are Contessa Brewer, R. Nathanael Brewer, R. Gabriel Brewer and Talitha Brewer. On his dad's side: Aaron McWilliams, Meredith McWilliams, Molly McWilliams, Heidi McWilliams and Mykaila DeLesDerenier.
Best friends forever were considered family by Zach: Rosey Turner. Seth Dutton. Anthony Inkalar. Josh Hinton.
There are many, many more friends who felt the pull of Zach's charisma, the joy of watching him laugh with his unconscious habit of knuckling his nose, the hope for his future, his success and the desire for the world to know how smart, insightful and loyal he was.
He died too soon. He endured too much. But he leaves behind a legacy of love.
We assume he's already planning a blowout bash on the other side- and this one will have a lot of dogs.
Here on Earth we will also throw a party on his birthday September 7 to celebrate his life and our love for him. Please be patient for details- as it takes us longer to pull things together without his party planning expertise.
What’s your fondest memory of Zachary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Zachary?
Share a story where Zachary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Zachary you’ll never forget.
How did Zachary make you smile?