William K. “Billy” Hale, Sr., age 85, passed away Tuesday, December 11, 2018 in Avon Park, FL after a long term illness.

Visitation will be held at Family Heritage Funeral Home in Gallatin, TN on Saturday, December 15th from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 16th from 12:00 p.m. until time of service at 2:00 p.m. Funeral service will be Sunday, December 16th at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Family Heritage Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Crestview Memory Gardens, with Micky Hale, Tim Hale, John Hale, William Hale III, David Harvey, Don Sadler, Andy Hendrickson, and Mark Keene serving as pallbearers.

Mr. Hale was born March 22, 1933 in Baxter, TN to the late Rev John L. Hale, Sr. and Iva Hale. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Willie Lois Hale and second wife, Mary Fitzpatrick Hale; daughters, Rosiland Stephanie Hale and Trina Dawn Hale; son, Rodney Craig Hale; brothers Glen Hale, Jack Hale, and Herman Hale; and sister Eva Haas.

He is survived by his son, Kenny (Anne) Hale of Avon Park, FL; daughter Martha (David) Harvey of Franklin, TN; brother J. L. (Susie) Hale, Jr of Gallatin, TN; sister Irene Moody of Lebanon, TN; two grandchildren, William (Kendra) Hale, III of Winchester, TN and Mary Elizabeth Harvey of Franklin, TN; and many other extended family members that he loved deeply.

Mr. Hale’s career included land development and home construction, as well as owner and breeder of multiple World Champion Tennessee Walking Horses including World Grand Champion, Ebony Masterpiece. He was inducted in the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration Hall of Fame.