George Walter “Stormy” Hall, 84, of Grand Island, Fla., and formerly of Murphy, passed away Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021.
Stormy was born Nov. 9, 1936, to Edna Howell Hall and George William Hall III in Murphy.
Stormy attended Murphy High School. He was in the first graduating class from Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, and later received a MA from Western Carolina University.
Stormy married his soulmate, Janet Callahan Ellis, in 1966.
He was an educator for 20 years, and was self-employed for 15 years building log homes in the mountains of western North Carolina.
In the mid 1980s, Stormy and his family moved to Florida where he worked as a guidance counselor. Upon his retirement, Stormy and Janet established a tutoring business, A Place to Learn, for elementary students.
After his second retirement, Stormy wrote two novels.
Always an educator at heart, Stormy insisted that his students think and explore. He continued to connect with past students to encourage them in their quest for truth.
Stormy was not only an educator but a contractor, a carpenter, a part-time farmer and an entrepreneur.
He will be sorely missed by friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Janet Callahan Hall.
Survivors include a son, Jason Hall of Grand Island; grandson, Palmer U. Hall of Belleview, Fla.; sons, Tim Ellis of Wilmington, Ohio, Tom Ellis of Newport, Ky., David Ellis and wife Kathy of Freetown, Ind.; and grandchildren, Scott Ellis and wife Janice of Wilmington, Ohio, Ben Ellis and wife Holly of Freetown, Ind., Jacob Ellis of Columbus, Ind.; great-grandchildren, Braeden and Noah Ellis of Freetown, Ind., and Kolton and Kara Ellis of Wilmington, Ohio.
A memorial service was held at the former Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church, Upper Peachtree Road, Peachtree. The memorial service began at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at the church, and the interment of ashes was at noon in the Peachtree Community Cemetery.
There was a time of sharing during the service.
Memorials may be made to Gideons International.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, was in charge of arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhome.com.