The Hall Family Photoblog - January 2011 - David, Joan, Svea, Brigitta & Annika Hall (& Bill and Harriette Wilsterman)

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1-31-2011 ~ Blog #365 ~ Joan

On January 21, 2011, my brother William passed away. He had been diagnosed over two years ago with cancer and was fighting it, but then he developed pneumonia and in his already weakened state, his body just did not have the strength to overcome it. At the funeral, three of his children stood up and gave heartfelt, touching testimonials to their father. The priest called him a "seeker", and truthfully, I have never known a man who sought out knowledge more than William. His pain is gone and now he knows the answers to all of life's questions, I am sure he is happy. But really in my opinion, this was all too soon.

"FORT WORTH -- William Joseph Wilsterman passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 21, 2011, in hospice.

Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. Thursday at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. Friends may call at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home where the family will receive friends beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday and where a rosary will begin at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Mother and Unborn Baby Care, 3704 Myrtle Springs, Fort Worth, Texas 76116.

William was born Oct. 1, 1943, in Akron, Ohio. He was a retired physicist, scientist and systems engineer, with many and varied interests. He was a graduate of the University of San Diego and in the 1970's he developed a System 2 auto-tracker for the United States Navy. For a time, William worked for the Korean air force helping it with its air defense missile systems. Because he had top-secret security clearance through the 1990s, most of his intelligence documents cannot be revealed. Besides English, he spoke Spanish, German and conversational Korean. He had been working on developing his knowledge of French at the time of an accident in May 2009.

He was a history and geography buff, astronomer, Bible scholar and wild animal enthusiast. William loved his Catholic faith and defended its truths to people of every persuasion.

William was preceded in death by his mother, Alma Wilsterman; sister, Jean Mathers; and stepson, Ernst Wagman.

Survivors are his wife, Nan; sons, Brian Wilsterman and Jason Wilsterman; twin daughters, Sarah Wilsterman and Dr. Sonya Wilsterman; stepsons, Nils and Hans Wagman; grandchildren, Kristin, Noah, Alexandria and Sariyana Wilsterman; great-grandsons, Boston and Brayden Baker; father and stepmother, Bill and Harriette Wilsterman; brother, John Wilsterman and wife, Jean; sister, Joan Hall and husband, David; nephew, Luke Wilsterman and wife, Marian; nieces, Kira Wilsterman, Svea, Brigitta and Annika Hall; brothers-in-law, Fred Zuercher and wife, Darlene, and their son, Andy, and John Zuercher.

Published in Akron Beacon Journal on January 27, 2011"

William, home in Ohio for our sister Jean's funeral.

Reading to Svea in 2002

William, with my Dad and brother John.

William, Annika and me in Atlanta for Luke's wedding.

John playing the piano in William and Nan's living room last week.

As terrible the circumstances were, William's funeral did bring together people I hadn't seen in many, many years (some like 30 years)

Below are Williams daughters, Sonya & Sarah. It was amazing to get to know them as adults. Sonya is a veterinarian and Sarah, with her partner Mimi, are fashion designers. Their clothing is called Wilster (how cool is that?)

Sarah and Mimi

Sarah, Sonya and their mom, Sharon.

William's son, Brian and Lori.

Sonya, Nan and Sarah

My mom was a real trooper. Not only did she navigate the multiple airports and the walking with gusto, she managed to "hang" with the younger crowd at a pub after the funeral.

Way to go Nana!

A novelty to my midwestern eyes - and entire store of cowboy boots. We went to Justin Boots with our little free time in Ft. Worth.

Do they wear red boots in Atlanta, John?

"I'm not sure how I want my hair, I just know I am feeling mysterious"

- Annika, age 5 getting ready for church.

* The hallbuzz blog page just passed 100,000 views. This post is number 365 in just over five years online.


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Ice Castles

12-17-2011 ~ Blog #364 ~ David

Before the latest thaw I broke all the big icicles off the house and the girls used them to build an ice castle in the front yard.

Svea Day

We celebrated Svea's Swedish Name Day on January second.


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