William Thomas (Bill) Hurn

Bill is survived by his wife, Karen; his children, Theresa Jane Hurn Hoisington; Tyler Justin Hurn and wife, Pam; Trenton Jay Hurn and wife, Marion; and Nicholas E. Feerer and wife, Ashlee; his brother, Herbert Hurn and wife, Gail; brother in law, Donald E Cox and wife Jeanie; and cousins, Jim Bob Turn and wife, Gini and Marsha Lynn Riddling Kuykendall and husband Leland.

Bill was blessed with eight amazing grandchildren who loved him dearly and called him "Popi": Wesley Hoisington, Jessica Hoisington, Sean Kennaugh, Cory Kennaugh, Grant Hurn, Travis Hurn, Trent Hurn, and Ava Feerer. In addition, Bill had five great grandchildren and multiple nieces and nephews

Bill was born May 14, 1933, in San Angelo, TX, to Herbert Wesley and Theresa Leola Ridling Hurn. Sadly, his father, 41, passed away in 1945, and Bill began to have greater responsibilities. He attended grade school and middle school in San Angelo. In 1947, his mother moved to Rankin, TX, with Bill and his younger brother, Herbert (Jr). Bill was a freshman at the time and graduated from Rankin High School as Salutatorian in May 1951. At RHS, Bill was popular and played several sports including football, basketball, and tennis.

Bill's Rankin years were fun, but tough for him and the family without his father. His mother was struggling to raise three kids and chose a teaching job in Rankin which was the reason for the move. Bill's older sister, Mary Katherine, stayed in San Angelo to attend college. His mother had not completed her teaching degree and had to continue that on weekends and summers. Money was always tight, and Bill was the one who often made the difference for the family with jobs of his own. The work and responsibility ethic he developed helping the family surely contributed to his own success throughout his life.

In September 1951, Bill attended San Angelo Junior College and graduated in 1953. He then enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Government in 1954. After graduating, he moved to Paint Rock, TX, and taught in high school for a full term. Then with the Cold War raging, he entered the United States Air Force Cadet Program as a navigator.

Bill graduated in 1956 from Cadets at Harlingen AFB in Harlingen, TX, and received his Navigator Wings and 2nd Lt Commission. Shortly after graduation Bill married Bonnie Joyce Barber of San Juan, TX, on December 25, 1956. During his Air Force career, Bill trained at Connally AFB in Waco, TX, and Moody AFB, GA, in aircraft radar, weapons, and interceptor programs. His first Cold War assignment was in 1957 for one year in Reykjavik, Iceland. In that assignment he flew as part of a F89 Jet Interceptor Squadron and flew in the rear seat of an F89 as the Radar Weapons and Interceptor officer. After he returned to the United States, he and Bonnie were stationed at McClellan AFB in Sacramento County, CA. In August, 1959, he was released from active duty in time to head back to Texas for law school.

Bill enrolled in Law School at The University of Texas at Austin in September 1959. He also served in the Texas Air National Guard and was promoted to captain before discharge. Bill attended UT Law from 1959 until 1962 when he graduated with his law degree. His first child, Theresa Jane, was born during this time in January 1961.

After law school, Bill became a successful corporate lawyer working with Humble Oil (now EXXON-Mobil) and Forrest Oil in Midland, TX; Central Power and Light and Coastal States Gas Producing Co in Corpus Christi, TX; and Coastal States and Damson Oil in Houston, TX. Bill and Bonnie had two more children during these years, Tyler in September 1966 and Trent in March 1970.

In the 1987-88 timeframe in Houston, Bill's personal and professional life changed. During this transition he married Karen Sharp Feerer on November 5, 1988. In this marriage Bill gained a stepson, Nick Feerer. Damson Oil was sold and the Houston office closed. As a result, Bill and Karen decided to open a private law practice, and later they decided to move to Divide, CO. In the new practice, they worked together to make it a success. Karen was the legal secretary; Bill, the attorney.

Their life in Colorado was wonderful, and his family enjoyed visits there. But twelve years ago, Bill's health took a serious turn. He had a stroke that effectively ended his law practice. Two years later he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was time to move back to Texas to retire. Their retirement years were enjoyable, but the cancer progressed. After more than ten years of cancer treatment and battling the aftermath of the stroke, Bill lost his fight on June 27 at 5:30 in the morning.

We rest well knowing Bill was welcomed by his eternal father at the gates of heaven.

Bill was preceded in death by close family members as follows:

His father, Herbert Wesley Hurn (Senior) died July 15, 1945;

His mother, Theresa Leola Ridling Hurn died January 25, 2002;

His sister, Mary Katherine Hurn Cox died November 6, 2012;

His aunt, Sally Katherine Ridling Turn died December 19, 1996;

His uncle, William P (Bill) Riddling died September 15, 2015;

His cousins, Henry Lon Turn died May 4, 1967, and Gale Terese Riddling Scialdo died January 6, 2014.

Plans for memorial services are still in progress.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation on Bill's behalf to a cancer or a stroke fund. Two popular organizations are:

American Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.org/

National Stroke Association at http://www.stroke.org/