William F. Hart Jr. (Ret.)

Major William F Hart Jr. (Ret.) In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to On Your Mark (https://onyourmark.org/about/), an organization that has been a rock in the life of his Autistic son, Bill, in Staten Island, New York. Major William F. Hart Jr. (Ret.) passed peacefully on November 17, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Hart, sister Linda Hart, son William F. Hart III, daughter Rachel Henderson, grandsons Sgt. Damian Henderson and SPC Zachary Henderson, and by an extended family who was devoted to him. Born in 1941 in Brooklyn, NY, Major Hart graduated from Delahante High School in 1959, at which point he joined the US Army. Upon discharge, he attended Queens college, and married Carol Gunderson. He then re-enlisted into the Army and was stationed in Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where his son Bill was born. He attended Officer Candidate School, and was later stationed at Ft. Bliss, during the Vietnam war. While serving his country in Vietnam, his daughter was born, in 1969. After his tour in Vietnam concluded, he transitioned to the US Army Reserves, so that he could relocate back to New York City, to accommodate the needs of his Autistic son, Bill. While in New York, he retired from the New York National Guard with 24 years of service. He then held a fulfilling career as an IRS agent. More importantly, he was a champion for individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities. He was a founding member of SIPED (Staten Island Parents for the Emotionally Disturbed), and of EDEN II, a still-existing school dedicated to educating Autistic individuals. He also helped to spearhead the erection of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial at the Manor Road Armory in Staten Island. During that time he was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leader at Our Savior Lutheran Church, and an active participant at Olivet Presbyterian Church, singing in the choir, sitting on various boards, and serving as one of the stand-in ministers during the minister’s summer vacations. Uon retirement he immediately relocated to El Paso, in 1998. It was here where he met his beloved wife Cindy, and enjoyed his new children, Heather and Duran, along with his additional grandchildren Tyler, Lillian, and Madison Shea. While in El Paso he was an aggressive advocate for veteran’s rights and for community improvement. He was a consistent voice at community and town hall meetings, and the proud Chaplain of the Vietnam Veteran’s of America, as well as being active in the VFW and other in military fraternal organizations. He was a dedicated and active member of Grace Presbyterian Church, where he often gave the children’s sermon. During his tenure in the Army, Major Hart’s awards included the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation. He will be missed by his family, his friends, and his community, both veteran and civilian. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass Drive. Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Committal Service to follow at 2:00 pm at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Please visit our online registry book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net