Bill Hair, age 87 of Brownwood passed away Tuesday May 4, 2010 in his home. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00am Saturday May 8, 2010 in the Davis-Morris Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Greenleaf Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Friday May 7, 2010, at Davis-Morris Funeral Home, from 6:00pm until 8:00pm.
Billy Ray Hair was born April 21, 1923 in Brownwood, TX to William Daniel and Maude Ethel Walker Hair. He entered the service at the age of 19. Bill became a squad leader 5 months later and platoon sergeant in 22 months. Bill was in charge of 43 men in the European theatre of operations by the age of 21. He supervised the entire platoon in the constructing bridges and was responsible for their safety in actual combat. Bill served in Company 5 of the 146th to Company A of the 178th Engineers, to Company B of the 178th Engineers, to Company B of the 51st Engineers. He first served in Saint Avold, France and later served under Patton.
Bill married Merlene Odom on November 6, 1942 in Brown County. He and his wife were members of the Church of Christ.
Mr. Hair was preceded in death by his wife Merlene Hair, his son Alan Wayne Hair, his granddaughter Kristel Varette, and his great-grandson Zakary Varette.
Survivors include his daughter Donna James of Bangs, his daughter-in-law Maryln Hair Hanley and husband Michael Hanley of Bangs, his grandchildren; June and husband James Gibson of Bangs, Tye Hair and wife Shelly, Dusty Hair, Dennis Hair and wife of Corpus Christi, David Hair of Odessa, Cami with husband Rob Wright of Santa Anna, CA, Robin Pingle and wife Jen of Hunnington Beach, CA, his nephew Ollie Hair and wife Donna of Brownwood, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Condolences may be left at www.davismorrisfuneralhome.com