William "Bill" Tart

William “Bill” Tart, 88, one of the first members of the United States Air Force, passed peacefully in his home on Tuesday in New Braunfels, Texas after a 7 year battle with cancer. He was born October 7, 1928 in Smithville, North Carolina to Moses and Henrietta Lee Tart.

Mr. Tart served in the Air Force during the Korean War. After he returned to the United States, he met the love of his life, Genevieve Oertli of Austin, Texas. Together, they traveled the world, made lifelong memories and raised 3 children. They were happily married for 56 years before her death in 2007.

The couple moved to New Braunfels in 1968 and embraced the small town’s community by becoming an active member with the Wurstfest Association, Heritage Society, Mid-Texas Symphony, Noon Lions, Sons of American Revolution and St Paul Lutheran Church. He was very proud of starting his own company, Family Credit Services and being part of the downtown businesses.

He is survived by his sister, Margarette Dunn and husband William of North Carolina, his daughter Linda Hook and her husband Billy of New Braunfels, his son David Tart and his wife Kathryn of Sugar Land, Texas, and his daughter Kathleen Diamonon and her fiancé Brent Hadaway of Houston, Texas. He will be greatly by missed by his grandchildren Thomas Hook and his wife Madeleine, Paul Tart and his wife Alyson, James Tart and his wife Ariel, Karen Tart and her fiancé Travis Hess, Patrick Diamonon, Julia Diamonon and two great-grandchildren Lela Tart and Austin Tart.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 14, 2016 from 5 PM to 8 PM at Zoeller Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 10 AM at Peace Lutheran Church in New Braunfels immediately followed by graveside service at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park. Memorial donations can be made to the charity of one’s choice.