James “Sonny” Hall, 89, of Gatesville, Texas, passed away on April 4, 2026. Family will host a visitation from 6-8 pm, Tuesday, April 7 at Heartland Funeral Home in Early. A service for James will be held at 10 am, Wednesday, April 8, in the Heartland Funeral Home chapel with interment to follow at Greenleaf Cemetery in Brownwood, Texas.
Sonny was born on December 11, 1936 in Malvern, Arkansas to Odie Hall and Adell Spears. He attended school at Malvern Highschool. In August of 1983, Sonny married Leonor Varela Hall.
A butcher by trade, Sonny owned grocery stores in various towns throughout central and west Texas over his many years in the business, the majority of those years being in Winters, Texas. He loved fishing, working the land and livestock on his farm, and woodworking in his home shop. He was an avid gardener, and especially loved growing his prize roses. Outdoor cooking was a passion and he could smoke a “mean” brisket. His work ethic was strong and he instilled that commitment in his sons’ lives as well.
Sonny is survived by his sons, Ed Hall (Nancy) of Flower Mound, Fred Hall (Holly) of Jacksboro, Kevin Hall (Sherry) of Kingsland, Steve Hall (Cindy) of Coleman, Jim Hall (Claudette) of Georgetown, Randall Diaz (Sylvia) of Gatesville, Roland Diaz (Kelli) of San Marcos, and James Diaz of San Antonio; daughter, Denise Arcovendas (Balta) of North Carolina; sisters, Marie Kruse (Donald) of Winters, and Patsy Robertson of Malvern, Arkansas; 29 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Sonny was preceded in death by his mother and father, Oscar and Adell Spears; father, Odie Hall; son, Jeremy Diaz; and son, Kerry Hall.
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
