Roy Lee Hale Jr.

ROY LEE HALE, JR. STUART-Roy Lee Hale, Jr., 88, departed this life on September 17, 2009. He was born January 2, 1921, in Floyd County to the late Roy L. Hale and Bessie Thomas Hale. He served in the United States Marine Corps in both World War II and the Korean Conflict, retiring as a gunnery sergeant. He is survived by: his wife, Ann West Hale, of the home; his daughter, Valerie C. Hale, of Belton, South Carolina; a grandson, Richard Bryan Black, of Greenville, South Carolina; a granddaughter, Lorie Lynn Oliver, of Greer, South Carolina; a sister, Ann Davis Whitesell, of Roanoke; a niece, Belinda Butler, of Waxhall, South Carolina; a stepson, Matt Corbett, of Sunbury, Pennsylvania; and a stepson, Chris Corbett, of Stuart. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Barbara Whitesell Anderson, of Mineral Springs, North Carolina. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he co-owned a dairy farm in Riner and a tobacco farm in Floyd County. An abiding passion was the game of golf, and he served as a club pro in California and at Great Oaks Country Club in Floyd. He mentored a number of young golfers who became outstanding players. He had a wide-ranging curiosity about life, and read voraciously. Horses, dogs, and animals in general always had a trainer and friend in Roy Hale. In accordance with Roy's wishes, there will be no formal memorial services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in his memory be made to the Patrick Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), P.O. Box 743, Stuart, Virginia 24171.