William Michael Hester

William Michael Hester "Captain Mike" August 24, 1948 - April 10, 2025

preceded in death by his parents, William "Bill" and Mary Hester

Survived by Daughter Evan (William); grandchildren, Ellisyn and Hollis McClelland; Sisters, Kathy and husband Charlie Chaffin, and Vivien and husband Scott Caven.

William Michael Hester was born in Harlingen, Texas on August 24th, 1948. He was the middle child and only boy to Bill and Mary Hester. Michael graduated from the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen and received a BA of Arts from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. A favorite college job was being Glurpo the underwater Clown at Aquarena Springs. He served honorably for the US Navy at Cam Rajneesh Bay during Vietnam. Michael loved photography and amassed many pictures of his time overseas. Family meant everything to him. Growing up, he looked up to his older sister Kathy and was close with little sister Vivien. He became a father in 1983 welcoming a daughter, Evan. He loved being an uncle to his three nieces and 5 nephews. Michael was an avid hunter but his true calling was the ocean.

Captain Mike Hester was a legendary big game fishing tournament boat captain. His 40+ year career took him all over the world fishing tuna, sailfish and marlin. He fished (and won many) international tournaments in the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba and Costa Rica. He also ran boats out of Ft Lauderdale, Florida and Wrightsville Beach, NC. From these amazing places he collected beautiful art and statues. Every summer his daughter, Evan would visit him on the boats until in the early 2000s he moved to the Texas Coast to be closer to her. He ran that boat fishing the Gulf Coast tournaments before retiring in 2022. The stories he told about fishing were epic!

14 years ago, Mike met Evan’s husband, William a month after she did and was able to watch (and approve of) their love blossom into marriage. In fact, William and Mike became dear friends. In 2015 and 2017 Mike’s grandchildren were born, making him Cappy. That is when his passion became his grandchildren. He taught them to play poker, how to crack crab claws and watched lots of movies curled up together on the couch. He also passed down a passion for surfing, teaching the grandkids how to surf in Port A. Cappy spent holidays, birthdays, summer vacations and everything in between as the 5th member of Evan's family unit. His loss is immeasurable but his memory will be cherished forever. May you rest in heavenly peace Daddy/Cappy/Capt. Mike.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Fall 2025 after the fishing tournament season