News Obituary

Vannoy Laid to Rest 70 years to the Day of His POW Release

SFC (Ret) Hale Vannoy 92, died peacefully on Wednesday August 23, 2023. Visitation to be held on Monday, August 28 at 11:00 until 11:50, the Funeral Service will begin at 12:00pm at Striffler-Hamby Funeral Home. Interment at Parkhill Cemetery.

Hale was born October 4, 1930 in Apple Farm, West Virginia to Odus S. and Ethel Jennie Barr Vannoy. He was the 10th of 11 children. He is preceded in death by all of his siblings Wilma Jean, Oval, Emanuel, Harold, Paul, Pauline, Waneta, Ruth, Virginia, and Delbert. He enlisted in the Infantry in the year 1948 and was stationed at Fort Benning. He served for 22 years including the Korean War and two tours of duty in the Viet Nam War. While serving he was held as a POW in the Korean War. He was captured on July 10, 1950 and was held until he was released on August 28, 1953. He was respectfully awarded the Prisoner of War Medal by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. While serving in Viet Nam he was awarded The Purple Heart w/2d Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal 2d Oak Leaf Cluster, The Bronze Star Medal w/3d Oak Leaf Cluster Medal, The Good Conduct Medal w/3d Oak Leaf Cluster, and The Army Commendation Medal.

Hale married Bonnie Ruth Hathaway September 22, 1977. They enjoyed a loving and happy marriage for 46 years.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie. His 4 sons Tony W. Vannoy (Terry Nolan), Glenn D. Vannoy, Charles O. Vannoy (Vincent Cromer) , Duaine E. Hathaway (Diane). His grandchildren Glenn Darrel Vannoy Jr. (Ashley), Amber Marsh (Brian Marsh), David Vannoy, Jacob B. Vannoy (Kaiti), Julie Hathaway Bowling (Doug), Holli Hathaway Clark (David). Hale had many great grandchildren, and many great great grandchildren and he loved them dearly.

Hale loved catching up on the news from home and was a faithful reader of The Calhoun Chronicle

Hale will be remembered by his family as a very strong minded and get-things-done man. He never complained or brought attention to himself. He was loving and supportive to his wife Bonnie. They traveled, planted beautiful flowers in their backyard and enjoyed their life together. He especially loved attending the annual POW reunions in various locations around the country. He was a loving father and grandfather. He greeted all of his family members with a big smile and a loud “HOW ARE YOU FELLOWS?” His family loved him very much and will miss him immensely.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Vannoy family.

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