Hal Arthur Pender

Hal Arthur Pender, 87, a lifelong resident of Abilene died Monday, March 1, 2010, at his residence. Born in Abilene, Texas on November 16, 1922, Hal was the son of Mary Paxton and Herman Arthur Pender. He was a graduate of Abilene High School and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Hardin-Simmons University. Hal served in the U S Navy (1943-1946) attaining the rank of Aviation Tech 2nd Class. He married Ella Faye "Bopeep" Free on December 28, 1943. Hal grew up in The Pender Company founded by his father, H.A. Pender, in 1922, and was self-employed in the company from 1946-2003. The company had been a fixture on the Abilene Community landscape through business and community service in United Way, Meals on Wheels, Junior Achievement and Hardin-Simmons University Cowboy Band Foundation to name a few. He helped raise the money for the Home of the Cowboy Band on the HSU campus. He was also honored by HSU with their Keeter Award. He was the General Campaign Chairman for raising $4,000,000 for the Red Bud YMCA, and was also involved in the fundraising for the Rose Park Tennis Center. Mr. Pender was involved in the building campaign for the First Christian Church, where he served as an Elder and choir member. He was a supporter of the Boy Scout Chisholm Trail Council, having been an Eagle Scout and Scout Leader. Mr. Pender was honored as the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year on March 31, 1999, and was recipient of the Better Business Bureau Torch Award in 2000. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ella Faye Free "Bopeep" Pender; parents; and two sisters, Joy Kutik and Mildred Deaton. Survivors include sons, Bob Pender and wife, Demetra, of Round Rock, Texas, and Brad Pender and wife, Virginia of Schertz, Texas, and sister, Martha Pender of Abilene. . Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 4, at First Christian Church in Abilene with Dr. Don Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be David Sivley, Roger Sivley, Mark Sivley, David Deaton, George Straughan, and Randy Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be Rufus Sivley, Jim Skinner, Don Bledsoe and Andrew Storie. Memorials may be made to First Christian Church Music and Organ Fund, 1420 North 3rd Street, Abilene, TX 79601.