Bill Hart

Bill Hart's departure marks an end to a life that contributed incalculably to the family, business and community life of Austin, Texas. From the date of his arrival in Austin in 1945 as an unemployed World War II veteran, Bill forged a path of success culminating in one of Austin's largest private employers. He was a local business icon, whose success was built upon his unshakable personal values of hard work, enterprise, honesty and an abiding belief that people will succeed given the right opportunity.

Bill started his business career in Austin with the Steck Company, a local printing operation. He never left that company. He began this sixty year journey first as a city salesman, then sales manager, then Division manager, then Vice President, then President, then Owner and Chairman. The opportunity to own the company came in1973, when the owner of what was then the Steck Warlick decided to move the Austin operations to Dallas. Then president of the Company, Bill declined to move, believing the Austin operation had great potential. Lacking Mr. Hart's faith, the owner sold remnants of the Austin operation to Mr. Hart.

Bill was able to purchase the Austin printing assets only after mortgaging all his personal assets and borrowing the entire purchase price of the business. The jobs of over 125 people depended upon the success of the new enterprise. But, Mr. Hart's faith was rewarded. This waif of a company became Hart Graphics, and twenty years later employed over 900 people with operations from California to Carolina and was recognized as one of the 75 largest printing companies in North America.

Mr. Hart created a company that was identified with a string of successful products and services, including election supplies and ballots, municipal bonds, insurance policies, educational workbooks and testing materials, software manufacturing and fulfillment, Texana publishing, wine labels and TV Guide. His ability to adapt and change, his enthusiasm for entrepreneurship, and his unflagging support for his colleagues made Hart Graphics a place where employees found purpose and satisfaction in their work. And, in spite of the company's growth and diversity, it never lost its family feel or sight of its cultural and ethical guideposts.

Mr. Hart's leadership abilities weren't confined solely to his company's mission. His industry called upon him many times, where he served as the President of the Printing Industries of Texas, and as long time Trustee of the Graphic Communication International Union's pension plan, one of the largest Taft-Hartley pension plans in the country. He served two terms as Board member of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, and was a founding member of the Task Force of Austin's Major Employers (TFAME). He was recognized by Ernst and Young as Entrepreneur of the Year at age seventy-eight.

He believed strongly in encouraging the growth of his community and its social and cultural life. When Bill came to Austin he joined the Downtown Lions Club, serving dutifully for years, including as the Club's president. He served in Board positions for United Way and KLRU. He was co-chairman of a task for a downtown convention center – ahead of its time.

Bill's journey of accomplishment began at an early age. At Butler University in Indianapolis, he was twice president of his fraternity, editor of the college yearbook, and manger of the track team. And against all odds, according to Bill, he married Mary Bell, the prettiest and smartest girl in school. Sixty years after graduating from Butler, Bill was awarded the Butler Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the University. The Butler basketball team was a real passion, their appearance in consecutive national title games confirming his pride in the Butler Way.

Bill's enthusiasm for new and challenging experiences never waned. He earned his pilot's license at age 80, learned to parasail at age 83, and went on safari in Africa at age 86, all while famously driving his vintage red corvette every Friday.

When Bill and Mary moved to Austin, one of Bill Hart's first attachments was the University Presbyterian Church, where he was deacon and elder. Later in life he moved to Covenant Presbyterian, also serving as deacon and elder, including to his residence at Westminster Manor. He and his wife Mary developed lifelong friendships through the church that were the basis of their social life in the community.

Nothing in Bill Hart's life defined him so much as his seventy year marriage to his wife, Mary. Their joy in each other was limitless. Mary fully supported Bill's move to Texas for his health, willingly leaving her family and home in Indianapolis behind. They bought a house on Glenview in Brykerwoods and started a family. They soon grew out of their home and moved to the edge of town, Tarrytown. As soon as their children were off to college, they moved to their home on Lake Austin, which became the family gathering place for years to come. Finally, they moved to Westminster Manor spending their last ten years together with many of the friends they made throughout their life.

Bill was always quick to give credit and appreciation to Mary for her role in raising their children while he was building his business. He in turn supported her in so many of her roles, including bending to her wishes for him to perform in her one act plays for Westminster Manor. When Mary became seriously ill these past few years, Bill found his greatest passion, spending all day, every day of her life looking after her needs. Constantly by her side, he only regretted not having more days together.

Bill Hart is survived by his son Chris Hart, his son and daughter in law, David and Sue Hart, and his daughter and son in law Linda Hart Herrmann and Bill Herrmann, Jr.; his six grandchildren Heather Hart Potts and husband Steve, Jeffrey David Hart and wife Monica, Scott Diener Hart and wife Malia, Kelley Hart Rendziperis and husband George, Annie Herrmann Mendrala and husband Mike, and Emily Herrmann Gutierrez and husband James; and fourteen great grandchildren: Lauren, Ian and Logan Potts; John Michael (Jack) Hart; David, Gabrielle (pictured above), and Jared Hart; Riley Susan and William Rendziperis; Michael, Dillon, and Sam Mendrala; and William and Avery Gutierrez. Bill Hart was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Mary Hart, and his parents Edgar and Elma Hart, and his brother John C. Hart.

Services for Bill Hart will include visitation at Weed Corley Funeral Home, 3125 Lamar Blvd (www.wcfish.com) on Sunday, October 21, 2012 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. and a memorial service at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 3003 Northland Drive on Monday, October 22, 2012 at 10:30 a.m., Reverends Scott Sandahl and Jill Williams presiding. A reception will be held in Covenant's fellowship and education building following the memorial service.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to Ronald McDonald House Charities, 1315 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Austin, Texas 78723, (512) 472-9844 (www.rmhc-austin.org). The family also wishes to thank Bill's many friends for their support and encouragement during both good times and hard times, and to the many caregivers who gave him their tireless attention.