William Richard Hare Sr.

William (Bill) Richard Hare, a faithful servant of the Lord, went to his eternal reward with his Father in Heaven on May 27, 2023, at the age of 89. He passed away peacefully at his home in New Braunfels, Texas, after a short illness.

Bill was born January 5, 1934, in Houston, Texas, to Charlie and Mable Hare. The Hare family moved to Austin in 1941, and Bill grew up in the Hyde Park area just north of the University of Texas. He attended Robert E. Lee and Baker Elementary schools, University Junior High and graduated from Austin High School in 1951. It was at that little Hyde Park home that the famous Hare Porch Swing was born. Later Bill would refurbish it and hang it from his back porch in New Braunfels where it remains today. That swing has held many happy, swinging little feet and heard so many wonderful stories from Grandpa Hare to his grandchildren.

In 1953 Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force and was sent to Korea where he was assigned to a U.S. Army outpost to record and report weather observations. On February 20, 1954, prior to his deployment to Korea, Bill married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Sandra Roelyn. Bill and Sandra shared a lifetime of love, over 61 years, until her passing in 2015. They had three children, Rhonda, Randall, and John, seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Bill attended the University of Texas at Austin and obtained his academic qualifications as a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He studied radar meteorology at both the University of Texas in Austin and the University of Miami at Coral Gables, Florida. In 1971 the Hare family moved to Hondo, Texas, so that Bill could manage the new Weather Service Meteorological Observatory and NOAA’s WSR-57. He was Meteorologist in Charge of the National Weather Service office in Corpus Christi, Texas, from 1979 through 1984. He was on the Gulf coast and worked on two huge hurricanes: “Carla” in September 1961, and “Allen” in August 1980. He was the Warning and Preparedness Meteorologist for South Texas and gave many preparedness talks and tornado spotter classes. He retired from NOAA service in San Antonio, Texas. Bill’s love for weather permeated his entire life, and he passed that love on to his children and grandchildren who still love to sit on the back porch and gaze at thunderstorms. Bill was an incredibly intelligent, engaged, and inquisitive person. He spent many a summer day watching storms with his bedazzled grandchildren or discussing weather patterns and science topics with his children and daughters-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Sandra (2015), his loving son, Randall (2021), his grandson Brandon Hare (2005), and his sister, Virginia Johnson. He is survived by his daughter, Rhonda Hare of Missouri City, Texas, daughter-in-law, Pamela Hare of San Antonio, Texas, and son, John Hare, of Tucson, Arizona. Grandsons: Brett Hare of San Antonio, Daniel Carroll, of Sugarland, Christopher Hare of Tucson, John Carroll of Spring, Philip Carroll of Sugarland, and one granddaughter, Kristen Freeman of Boerne. He had seven great grandchildren Lyndsie Hare of Tucson, Seth Freeman of Boerne, Samuel Hare of San Antonio, Charlie Hare of San Antonio, Kenzie Carroll of Spring, Ben Carroll of Spring, and Aria Hare of Tucson. He is also survived by his brother, Charles Hare of Austin, Texas, and sisters, Mary Ann Berry of Longview, and Joy Blomberg of Houston, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was most recently a member of the Lord’s church at Comal church of Christ in New Braunfels, Texas. His faith was an encouragement to the brethren there, and his love for God’s people … especially the children, was most evident! He was respected and loved by so many people far and wide!

Committal services with full military honors will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on June 15 at 10:00 a.m. Those in attendance are asked to arrive in Committal Shelter 4. The service will be followed by a reception at San Pedro church of Christ (311 Jackson Keller Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216). Everyone is invited to eat lunch and visit with the family.

Save the Date: A Celebration of Life will be held at Landa Park, Pavilion #16 on August 12, 2023, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served. Everyone is invited to be a part of the celebration of Bill’s life. Bring pictures, a memorable or funny story to share with all.

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” -Philippians 1:21

Memorial Contributions can be made to:

Tipton Children's Home (580) 667-5221 https://www.tiptonchildrenshome.com/ 1000 N Broadway Ave, Tipton, OK 73570

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (888)557-7177 https://www.lls.org/ PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087