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was 89 Hal Wallace Nivens of San Antonio passed away on Saturday, October 5th, 2013, in Boerne, Texas. He years old and had been in declining health for the past year. Hal was born September 1, 1924 in Austin, Texas, the second child of Harold and Ida Maude Wallace Nivens. Hal lived in San Antonio from the age of five. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School during World War II. He enlisted in the Army, trained at Camp Hale, Colorado, and served as a medic in Europe. After returning from the service, Hal attended Trinity University. A friend introduced Hal to Betty Joy Steinmeyer, the love of his life. After dating for two years, the couple married on May 31, 1948. They have a son and three daughters. Hal was devoted to his children and eager to see each one succeed in life. Hal made his living in the retail paint business, starting out with Sherwin-Williams. He worked for Handy Dan Home Improvement for 20 years and for Builder's Square. Hal enjoyed art, music, travel, and Canadian Mist. A kind-hearted person, he had a pervasive, often infectious sense of humor that was never mean-spirited. Football and horse racing were his favorite sports. He loved classical music, Big Band music, and popular music from the last six decades. Hal loved travel. He and Betty Joy traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada, Hawaii, and Alaska. They spent a month in Europe in 1998, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary dining in the Eiffel Tower. Hal's favorite places were Paris, France and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Hal is survived by his wife Betty Joy; his sister Billie Nichols; four children, Michael Nivens, Robin Norby, Tammy Downey, and Renée Allred; twelve grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and Velvet, his dog. The family thanks the caregivers and medical staff who took such good care of Hal during the past year. Services Visitation will be held on Thursday evening October 10, 7:00-9:00 PM at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North, San Antonio, 3401 Cherry Ridge. Funeral services will take place at 12:00 PM on Friday, October 11, at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North, followed by interment at Lockehill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Animal Defense League in San Antonio.

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Hal Wallace Nivens

September 1, 1924 - October 5, 2013