Buster Hale

My life on this earth began April 11, 1930, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Born the son of Roy and Beatrice Hale. For some reason, my parents let my grandparents name me. My mom did not like either name, so she called me Buster, and that is what it has always been. I have always said when someone called for Clarence Hale, that they were trying to sell something.

I was so lucky and appreciative to be born and raised by Christian parents in a Christian home. We had very little, but yet we had everything. Hope, Love, and Jesus.

I attended Shawnee Public Schools, graduating in 1948 as President of the Senior Class. The next four years were spent in the U.S. Air Force, three of which were in Japan.

Life really totally began for me on January 21, 1953, when on a blind date I met this beautiful, wonderful girl named Gladys Hall. It was without a doubt love at first sight. On May 4, 1953, I asked her to marry me and believe it or not she answered ‘Yes’. On September 5, 1953, we were married. The only reason we could come up with for waiting until September, was to make sure the rings were paid for.

Two years later we shared the birth of our daughter Susan with special memories of her growing up. My working life was spent as a plumber, starting Hale Plumbing in 1960, and later retiring in 1992 from Personal Plumbing.

After retirement we spent several great years doing craft shows with my bird houses and seeing small parts of this world.

I have been a loyal and faithful member of Wesley United Methodist Church for many, many years serving several different committees and loving the Lord. Gladys and I always knew that God was the instigator in bringing us together, for our love for each other was never in question.

Susan grew up and married Jack Lowe for our only son. They gave us two granddaughters, Lisa and Leslie, who gave us four great-granddaughters and two great-grandsons: Lisa and Jason Knight with daughter Emma and son Jack and Leslie and Theodore Ruff with daughters Lauren, Lainey, and Cate, and son JJ. This is my loving family of which I am very proud.

Gladys left this life hand in hand with Jesus on November 7, 2019 after 66 years 2 months and 2 days of being a fantastic and wonderful friend, wife, mother, and granny.

I will miss my family, friends, and special friends, Steve and Sandy, but Gladys has waited long enough for me to be by her side once again.

This obituary is written by Buster, date unknown. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Wesley United Methodist Church, Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Walker Funeral & Cremation Service on Friday, July 11, 2025 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. A funeral ceremony will be held on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Walker Funeral Chapel, Shawnee, Oklahoma. He will be laid to rest next to Gladys at Resthaven Memorial Park in Shawnee.