Hal W. Atkins' Obituary
Hal W. Atkins Jr. passed away peacefully on August 11, 2023, surrounded by family.
Hal was born November 10, 1932, in Austin, Texas, to Hal W. Atkins Sr. and Marjorie Hollifield Atkins. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, graduating in 1951. He went on to attend the University of Texas, graduating in 1955 with a degree in radio and television. He was the first freshman drum major in the history of the University of Texas Longhorn Band.
Following graduation, he enjoyed a lengthy career as a television executive with stations in San Angelo, Waco, Corpus Christi and Laredo. Hal was a television pioneer who always had entertaining stories about the early days of live television in San Antonio and Austin.
After leaving his television career, he started several businesses, including an advertising agency and publishing a number of local Travel Host magazines in Central and South Texas. Years later, he purchased several small community newspapers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
In retirement, he spent some years as a drum major with the University of Texas Alumni Band and worked at the Pharr Tennis Center in Austin, where he made many wonderful friends. Hal continued to play tennis 4-5 times a week into his mid 80’s.
Hal was a member of the Elks Lodge-Austin, Kiwanis Club-San Angelo and Waco, Rotary Club-Laredo and the Chamber of Commerce of multiple cities.One of his greatest passions was his love of dancing, especially performing and teaching ballroom dancing.
When it came to involvement with his children, he coached several Little League Baseball teams, football teams, as well as being involved with his children’s swim teams. Additionally, Hal worked with the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls.
Hal is survived by his children Hal W. Atkins III (Tammy), J. Patrick Atkins (Sandy) ,Pam Mahoney (Tracy), Ann Atkins-Shell (Clay), Amy Atkins-Holt (Greg). Grandchildren Tori Atkins DePoister (Damian), Hal W. (William) Atkins IV, Dalton Dellsperger (Lauren), Ben Atkins (Vida), Alexandra Atkins, Nick Atkins, Casey (Cassie) Mahoney, Grant Deltz, and his great-grandchildren.
He lived a wonderful life full of stories, charm, tennis, pipe tobacco, scotch and Bloody Marys harmless flirtation, hot sauce and laughter.
Services will be held on Tuesday August 15, 2023 at 2 PM at Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home 424 Geraldine Street Uvalde, Texas 78801.
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