Roy Albert Hall

Roy A. Hall, 85, a quiet man with a heart full of tenderness and a soul full of music, left this life peacefully on Sunday, September 29, 2024. He had been under hospice care at his residence in Asheville, NC, with his loving wife, Anne, by his side.

Roy was born in Pulaski, VA, to Roy Calvin Hall and Lois Albert Hall. His musical aspirations were nurtured with lessons in drums and piano, and with opportunities to perform as his skills developed. Music infused Roy’s existence; it gave him direction and solace. As a young soldier, he was recognized for his “Outstanding Contributions to US Army Entertainment” though that was far from his military job specialty. He later continued his music education at Richmond Professional Institute, taught music to school children at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, and pursued his master’s degree in music at Penn State.

Roy spent the majority of his professional career as a music educator for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DODDS) in Okinawa, Japan. He arrived in 1974, assigned to an elementary school on Naha Air Force Base . He eventually taught a variety of music classes at Kubasaki High School. In August, 1981, Roy was the “Meeter-Greeter” for teachers arriving on island for the new school year. It was then, at Naha Airport, Roy met Anne Heinrich on her first overseas assignment. They recognized in each other a kindred spirit; over time their long term friendship sparked into love. Roy and Anne celebrated 20 years of marriage this past July.

Leaving the classroom, Roy served for many years as the instructional systems specialist for the visual/performing arts for DODDS-Pacific Schools, 44 in all. He coordinated and monitored the creative arts programs, which included training, professional development and standardization. He strongly believed that any time children’s creativity is recognized, it gives them a chance to flourish, and that often it may be an artistic program that keeps a child interested in school. Roy was a dedicated teacher, mentor, colleague and friend to many, with a reputation for professional excellence. He retired in 2007.

Roy was predeceased by his parents and sisters Betty Tourney Hall and Sara Jane Hall Ausbon.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife Anne, sister Sally Buchanan, nieces Karen, Susie, Cindy, Sara, Paige, Ashley and Elizabeth, nephew George, and many grand nieces and nephews.

Anne thanks the Four Seasons Hospice nurses and certified nursing assistants who so kindly and compassionately tended to Roy’s comfort in the final weeks of his life. She thanks Adam Roper of Anders-Rice Funeral Home and Cremation Center for taking extra steps to come to her aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Donations may be made with Roy in mind to Four Seasons Foundation (https://fourseasonsfdn.org), or to any charity providing relief to Western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Anders-Rice Funeral Home and Cremation Center is honored to serve the Hall family.