Bill Hale

Bill Hale was a unique and wonderful man, loved by so many.  He was known for his humility and his witty sense of humor and love of adventure.  He always smiled and encouraged every person he met and said yes to every opportunity to try something new.  His greatest love was his wife - and the family they created together.  

Bill Hale was born October 1, 1934, to Douglas and Effie Musslewhite Hale in Troup, Texas.  He grew up in Troup, the youngest of three boys, all of whom he loved dearly.  After graduating Troup High School, he attended college and played sports at Tyler Junior College, SMU and Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches.  That’s where he met and married the love of his life, Janan Gillespie.     

Bill joined the Marine Corps, completed Officer Candidate School and achieved the rank of Major during his enlistment.  He and Janan eventually returned to East Texas where they made their home and raised 4 children.  Bill worked in the insurance business for most of his working years, achieving numerous sales awards.  They were lifelong members of Pollard Methodist Church.  Bill served as the Scoutmaster for Troup 369 based at Pollard.  

He was a servant at heart – serving as a Marine, as a scout, and many other servant roles, including the East Texas Crisis Center, Pollard Methodist, Tyler Civic Theater, and he was once a tour guide for the US Forest Service in Alaska.  He was a faithful follower of Alcoholics Anonymous and celebrated 50 years of sobriety.  But nothing was more important to him than his family.     

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Douglas Hale and Steve Hale.  He is survived by his wife Janan Hale, his daughter Kevan Hale Bauer (Bryan) of Winona, sons: Jeff Hale (Jen) of Troup, Bill Hale (Heidi) of Portland, Oregon and Mark Hale (Mendy) of Arlington, Texas; grandchildren Justin Hale, Jessica Austin, Chelsea Hale, Molly Gray, Sara Denman, Jeremy Archer, Billy Hale, Qurynn Johnson, Savannah Hale and Charlie Hale, and 8 great grandchildren (Hannah, Harper and Haley Denman; Allie, Ava and Hayse Austin; Jack Hale and Will Hale) numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.

Graveside service for Bill Hale will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Pinecrest, Troup, Texas.

Memorial services will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Pollard Methodist Church in Tyler, Texas.

Visitation will be from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, Saturday, November 30, 2024, prior to the service.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Pollard Methodist Church of Tyler, 3030 New Copeland Road, Tyler, Texas 75701 or the charity of your choice.

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