William Harold Gant, Sr.
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William Harold Gant, Sr.
August 12, 1932 - August 4, 2016
William Harold Gant, Sr., 83, of
Kountze, passed away Thursday, August 4, 2016, in Tyler county as he looked for
a friend from his childhood. Alzheimer’s
was intruding his life for the past five years, he was diagnosed in 2013. Harold was born on August 12, 1932, in Warren, to Rhoda Pearle
Moye Gant and William Percy Gant. He was
raised by his grandparents, whom he loved dearly, Mattie and Marcus Gant.
While in high school, he worked
at the Saw Mill in Warren
and played football on the first eleven man team for the Warren Warriors. Harold graduated from Warren High School
in 1951 and still enjoyed attending the annual reunions. Harold proudly served his country in the
United States Navy during the Korean War on the USS Iowa. He later attended Lamar University
while working at Texaco, where he retired after thirty-seven years of service.
Harold was a member of the Big Thicket
Baptist Church. One of the pastors called him “his yard
boy”. He fenced the property, built a
sign, and kept the lawn beautiful.
Harold was a Master Mason for
fifty-six years and was a member of Nederland Masonic Lodge #1368 and a Past
Master of Silsbee Masonic Lodge #927. He
was a recipient of The Golden Trowel, fifty year service pin, and served as a
District Deputy for The Grand Lodge of Texas.
Harold was also a member of The Scottish Rite, The Knights Templer, and
a Past Patron of Silsbee Chapter #298, Order of the Eastern. He was active in these fraternities and
enjoyed the fellowship, doing whatever was necessary as the occasion
arose. He enjoyed teaching candidates
the Esoteric work of the Masonic Fraternity.
He enjoyed rodeos and attended
the National Finals Rodeo for the last twenty-eight years, where he met several
friends which have all kept in touch.
Harold loved to talk about the USS Iowa, he recently called a Navy
Recruiter to see if he needed to serve his country again.
His best friend was Bo. Harold left Saturday, July 30, 2016, to take
Bo for a ride. When they were found, Bo
was lying safely and hungry, next to the truck.
Bo must have been a comfort to Harold during the six days they were
missing. The two of them were tight; Bo
is truly man’s best friend.
The family wishes to thank
Hardin, Tyler,
and Jefferson County Deputies, all search team volunteers, air services, and
private helicopter, for all their help in locating Harold. Hardin County Deputies were constant and all
indicated the search would not end until Harold was found. The efforts made were endless. Thank God for our dedicated law enforcements
and all the people who give their time for humanity. God Bless You all!
Survivors include his wife of
forty-three years, Barbara Dillenback Gant; children, William Gant, Kathy Gant
McElveen, Karen Gant Gill, Daryl Nunez, and Gina Nunez McNairy; nine
grandchildren; and sister, Virginia Gant Flowers. He is preceded in death by his parents; and
daughter, Hollie Gant Anderson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions may be made in Harold’s memory to Shriners Hospitals for
Children, 6977 Main Street,
Houston 77030.
A gathering of Harold’s family
and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 11, 2016,
at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road,
Silsbee. His funeral service will be
2:00 p.m., Friday, August 12, 2016, with his interment to follow at Fellowship Cemetery,
Warren.
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