Walter "Walt" Clay Hailey, Jr.

WALTER “WALT” CLAY HAILEY, JR., 86, of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, the 19th of December 2020 surrounded by his family and beloved dog, Little Bit. Walt was born on the 14th of May 1934, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the late Muriel Tansey and Walter Clay Hailey, Sr. Walt served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps from 1953 to 1956. While in the Marine Corps Reserve, Walt attended California Polytechnic State University graduating with a degree in mathematics in 1961.The same year, he was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps. Walt returned to his native Louisiana before being transferred to Houston with IBM. Many knew Walt as a dedicated boxing coach, official, and judge. His love of boxing began in 1949 when he fought as an amateur in New Orleans under the legendary Ernest “Whitey” Esneault. Walt continued boxing while a Marine, becoming an Armed Forces Champion. He retired from competing in the sport in 1962. Walt started his first boxing club in 1965 in League City, Texas. He operated numerous boxing clubs from 1965 to 2009, training champion amateur and professional boxers. In addition, he served as an official for and as the president of USA Boxing, Gulf Association. In 2009, Walt turned over his boxing club to Victor Rodriguez Sr. and moved to San Antonio. He received numerous awards throughout his boxing career, including the Outstanding Judge Award from USA Boxing South Texas Amateur Boxing Association in 2015, shortly before he retired from the sport. Walt’s passions were his beloved family, his boxing career, and nurturing the many friendships he developed along the way. Walt is survived by his wife, Dorothy “Dot” Hailey (née Haste); daughter, Belinda Gambrino-Adams and husband Ken of Salt Lake City, Utah; sons, Clayton Hailey and wife Sheila of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Guy Hailey and wife Saundra of Covington, Louisiana; stepchildren, Penny Holt of San Antonio, Texas, and John Hart and wife Theresa of Katy, Texas; numerous grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. The graveside funeral service will be conducted at two fifteen in the afternoon on Thursday, the 7th of January 2021 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road in San Antonio. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the service is limited to family only.

Service was livestreamed and can be viewed below:

A celebration of life will be held in Houston at a date to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in memory of Walt be directed to the San Antonio Pets Alive!, PO Box 830006, San Antonio, Texas 78283, or the Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at https://ipffoundation.org/donate/.