Herschel Lamar Hale (Sonny), 81, of Vicksburg, passed away on Friday, January 12, 2024. Sonny was born on December 21, 1942, to Herschel and Margaret Hale in Vicksburg, MS. Survived by the love of his life of 57 years, Nancy E. Hale. They met at 19 years of age. He picked her up in a red and white convertible Malibu. He swept her off her feet and one year later, they were married on June 16, 1967.
Sonny was in the Navy from 1961 - 1965. He was stationed on the USS Gainard. Once he departed from the Navy, he went on to hold several jobs before becoming a member of the Vicksburg Fire Department. He went on to work for 24 years becoming Senior Captain and serving as acting Battalion Chief. He retired from the Fire Department on a Thursday and began on the following Monday working for the United States Customs, where his sister-n- law (Alisa Sullivan) would be his boss. After 16 years with Customs, he retired and began to do the things that he was most passionate for, doing things with his family, cooking and gardening. He went on to become a Mississippi Master Gardener where he would share with the community his love for gardening and his knowledge of how to grow the BEST tomatoes. He ran the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market and so much more throughout the city. Sonny was a very active man and believed in staying very healthy. He was an active member of the YMCA where he participated in crossfit training at 72 years old. He ran every race the YMCA would hold. Sonny went on to do something close to his heart, where he went to Honduras on a missionary trip. This trip would be one that he would remember forever. One thing on his bucket list was to go skydiving. At 70 years old he could check this off his list. Yes, you can say he was an adventurous man. Above all though, you could find him at a ballfield. Whether it was coaching his son, while growing up or watching his grandchildren at the baseball field, soccer field, cheer competition or gymnastics. If he could not get to a game, he would make it to the practices. His dream came true when he was able to watch his granddaughters play college soccer at Hinds, which if you knew him this was something he was so proud of and would be the final chapter of the many years of watching his grandchildren play sports. Sonny was an amazing man that touched many lives throughout his 81 years. His laughter can be heard, his jokes and his memories will stay with us forever.
Herschel is preceded in death by his father, Herschel Franklin Hale, mother, Margaret Lazurus Hale, brother, Robert Orsey Hale, and hIs brothers-in- law, Bobby Paxton and Troy Parsons. He is survived by his children: Belinda Watkins (Craig), and Randy Hale (Bobbie Jean). His grandchildren: Austin Watkins (Morgan Joseph), Blake Watkins (Summer Hartley), Maddie Watkins, Tyler Hale, Huntington Hale (Claire Gamble) RaeMassey Hale, and Addie Hale ( Austin Rudd, his great grandchildren: Emerson Claire Watkins, Myles Austin Watkins, Gamble Owen Hale, Mykenna Blaire Watkins, Olivia Lamar Hale, baby Briggs Livingston Watkins due Feb. 19. his sisters: Barbara Parsons and Judy Paxton, his brother-in law: James Sullivan (Alisa Price), numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 10 am to 12 pm on Wednesday, January 17 at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Avenue with services to follow at Noon with Rev. Dr. Robert Ford officiating. Interment will follow at a later date. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Tyler Hale, Huntington Hale, Austin Watkins, and Blake Watkins. nephews: Keith Paxton, Scott Paxton, Jake Parsons, Scott Sullivan and Jake Sullivan and Austin Rudd. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ray Kelly, Lee Roy Robinson, Retired members of the Vicksburg Fire Department, Master Gardeners, Robin Dallaire (Herschel’s coworker and friend from US Customs), and members of the Redwood Methodist Church.
The family would like to thank the Vicksburg Convalescent Home second floor staff, St. Joseph Hospice and Merit Health River Region ER and fourth floor staff for their loving care to Sonny.
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