William "Bill" Jackson Hartsfield Jr.

William Jackson Hartsfield, Jr. (Bill) of Fort Worth, Texas, died on Tuesday, March 7th, 2023, in Hospice Care, at the age of 94. His children, Pamela Ator and Jack Hartsfield, were with him.

Bill was born in Houston, Texas, on November 22, 1928, to William and Adelaide Hartsfield. Bill attended high school at Milby, in Houston, Texas. He was a star football player and  received praise in the Houston Chronicle. He also ran track and excelled at the hurdles.  Bill met the love of his life, Bille Faye Wheeler, at Milby. They enjoyed their high school years together and then college years, at Howard Payne University, where Bill was on football scholarship. They married between their junior and senior years of college(Bill lost his scholarship because he married! But, they managed to make it through that last year.) After college, the Hartsfields taught for a short time in San Angelo and Magnolia, Texas, before Bill was  drafted into the Army where he served in Japan during the Korean Conflict.

The Hartsfields taught in the Snyder school system for the rest of their careers. Bill taught algebra in junior high and high school, while coaching several sports. Bill really enjoyed coaching and being involved with the kids and in return, he was well liked by the kids he coached. Bill and Billie later returned to college at Southwest Texas State to get their Masters Degrees. Bill became an assistant Principal at Lamar Junior High for the remainder of his career.

Bill and Billie were active in their churches in Snyder and Fort Worth. They treasured their Snyder friends made through church participation.

Bill and Billie were wonderful grandparents to their 7 grandchildren. Each one felt special and they were all treated royally when they came to visit, or their grandparents visited them. The older granddaughters(Kristin, Katie,Sara and Rachel) spent time in Snyder with their grandparents, during summer break. The girls loved their solo time with their grandparents. At Christmas, Bill made special Christmas decorations for the house and each child was so excited to turn the corner on to 45th Street, and see Santa pulling his bag up on the roof! There were always treats, games to play, laughter and music at Grandma and Granddaddy’s house; it was truly a storybook Grandparents’ home.

After retiring, the Hartsfield’s did lots of traveling around the world, and stateside. They visited Pam and Phil in Singapore, went to Europe and visited both U.S. coasts.

Over the years, Bill continued to be active with sailing, tennis, and golf, which in retirement became his favorite sport. He played golf weekly with Harold Lacik, Pop Kidd, Bill Irwin, and others who were available for a game. After moving to Fort Worth, he would play golf with his son-in-law, Phil, until his shoulder gave out and he had to set aside his clubs.
The move to Fort Worth gave Bill and Billie a chance to know their only grandson, Ryder. They spent many afternoons with Ryder, Liz and often with their great-granddaughter, Mati. These were special times for them, and they were very happy to be here, though moving to Fort Worth meant they left their special neighborhood and church friends.

After Billie’s health declined, they moved into assisted living, where they remained until Billie passed away, and Bill came to live with daughter, Pam and her husband Phil. He was truly heartbroken after Billie’s passing, but eventually began to enjoy the small joys of daily living…taking walks with Jack and Lucky(Pam’s dog),playing his harmonica,  watching Gunsmoke, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and listening to his favorite music. Before he went into the hospital on Friday night, he had his favorite meal of a hamburger, French fries and a chocolate malt with Jack. Then, he danced one dance with his granddaughter, Katie, at the Preservation Hall(Fort Worth), which played big band music. It was a near perfect last night.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Bille Faye Hartsfield,  parents William and Adelaide Hartsfield sister Pauline Ohsie. He is survived by his children Pamela Ator, and her husband Phil, and Jack Hartsfield and his wife, Gail. He is also survived by his grandchildren Mike Ator, Kristin Joyner, Katie Stepp, Sara Hartsfield, Rachel Malish, Liz Ferrucci, and Ryder Hartsfield. Bill also had 7 great grandchildren who survived him: Mati, Annie, Zoe, Gus, Piper, James, and Lydia. This family will sorely miss his presence.
Bill willed his body to medical science. A memorial will be held at a later date.