William E. Hart

William E. (Bill) Hart died on October 5, 2006 at Baptist Memorial Hospital after a valiant struggle with cancer. He will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his family and friends. Bill is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sharon Hart of Germantown, Tennessee, his son James Hart and wife Corinne of Hendersonville, Tennessee, and son Phillip Hart and wife Carol of Memphis, Tennessee. Additional survivors include his mother Anna Pickrell Hart of Owensboro, Kentucky, sister Geri Martinez of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and brothers James L. Hart of Palm City, Florida, Joseph C. Hart of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Christopher L. Hart of Louisville, Kentucky. Bill was preceded in death by his son John, his sister Phyllis Ann Hart, his brother Jan Michael Hart, and father James E. Hart.

Bill was born on September 25, 1942 in Owensboro, Kentucky where he grew up, completed his education at Brescia College and served in the United States Army. After working as a teacher at St. Stephens grade school, and an assistant principal at Owensboro Catholic High School, he became a pharmaceutical sales representative. Bill had a long and very successful career as a senior sales manager with GlaxoSmithKline Company, winning numerous awards and commendations. Colleagues greatly respected him and remember him as a man of integrity, competence, and good humor.

Bill was a man of deep faith and compassion, and devoted to his family and friends. His story-telling, generosity, and ready laughter endeared him to all who knew him. He loved the outdoors, and fishing, walking and boating were favorite past-times. Bill was a member of Catholic Church of the Incarnation, Collierville, Tennessee, where he helped lead Scripture studies with his wife Sharon. The couple found great joy in sharing a spiritual journey with others in their church.

Two services will be held, the first at Collierville Funeral Home on Saturday, October 7 from 4:00 8:00 p.m. with the rosary said at 6:30 that evening. On Sunday, October 8, a service will be held at Glenn Funeral Home in Owensboro, Kentucky from 4:00 8:00 P.M. with the rosary at 5:00 that evening. On Monday, October 9, there will be a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Catholic Church on 2516 Christie Avenue in Owensboro, with burial following at Resurrection Cemetery. Immediately after the burial service a reception will be held at Immaculate Catholic Church.

Bills family extends their gratitude to all those who have supported them with love and prayers. The many gestures of kindness and caring provided great comfort. Their appreciation also goes to all the medical professionals who guided Bills care and to the hospice unit of Baptist Memorial Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in the form of contributions to Haiti Medical Mission, c/o Dr. Gordon Kraus, 6005 Park Avenue, Suite 728 B, Memphis, TN 38119.